What Do My MRI Scan Test Results Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jul 2016

Question: Hi, I had a surgery for the L4-L5 disc bulge, but even after the surgery my back pain is coming back. After another MRI we came to know that there is L5 disc degenration/dehydration has happened. In MRI scan that part of the disc is showing blackened.

Here is the conclusion of MRI Scna Report:

"Loss of normal lumbar Iordosis. Posterocentral protrusion at L4-5 intervertebral disc, causing significant compression of thecal sac & L5 traversing nerve roots."

My Neurosurgeon suggested for the Physiotherapy. Can you please tell me what is happening with me ? Am I gonna be all right like before to play and excercise ?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid heavy physical activity till you are symptom free

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

There is pinching of nerves in your lower back due to the disc pressing on it. Probably this is mild right now and thayt is why physiotherapy is recommended. You need to do the physiotherapy as instructed and your pain will decrease over few weeks.

Doing exercise and playing like before can cause your problems to worsen and therefore it is important to see the improvement after physiotherapy and then to decide whether to do exercises. If you do not feel better after pohysiotherapy then pain relief medicines will be given by your neurosurgeon.

Right now you need to avoid sudden movements in your lower back and stop doing exercises and playing games without asking your physiotherapist.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar