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Is Mild Spondylosis With Diffuse Disc Bulge Along With Small End Plate Osteophytes A Concern?
Question: My MRI report says on my L5-S1 I have mild spondylosis with diffuse disc bulge and small endplate osteophytes. What does this mean?
Brief Answer:
Chronic changes of the spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The term spondylosis refers to chronic changes in the vertebrae in the form arthritis, inflammation of the joints or bulging of the discs, the cartilage cushions situated between the vertebral bodies. So in this case you have both a bulging of the disc between the vertebrae as well as formation of osteophytes, bony spurs, formed by chronic inflammation.
The risk of these changes is that they can produce local back pain due to inflammation, muscle spasm etc as well as compress nerve roots which is associated with pain, sensation changes, muscle weakness etc (according to the nerve involved).
Judging from the report there is no clear evidence of nerve root compression, there is some narrowing of the central canal where the bundle of nerves passes as well as the foramina, the lateral canals from which the nerve roots leave the spine. However these changes are mild, in itself they do not justify another surgery, only continuation of physical therapy and pain killers if needed.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Olsi Taka
Neurologist
Chronic changes of the spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The term spondylosis refers to chronic changes in the vertebrae in the form arthritis, inflammation of the joints or bulging of the discs, the cartilage cushions situated between the vertebral bodies. So in this case you have both a bulging of the disc between the vertebrae as well as formation of osteophytes, bony spurs, formed by chronic inflammation.
The risk of these changes is that they can produce local back pain due to inflammation, muscle spasm etc as well as compress nerve roots which is associated with pain, sensation changes, muscle weakness etc (according to the nerve involved).
Judging from the report there is no clear evidence of nerve root compression, there is some narrowing of the central canal where the bundle of nerves passes as well as the foramina, the lateral canals from which the nerve roots leave the spine. However these changes are mild, in itself they do not justify another surgery, only continuation of physical therapy and pain killers if needed.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Olsi Taka
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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