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What Do These MRI Findings Indicate?
Question: I have lower back pain radiating down right leg. MRI reveals
L3-4: Mild intervertebral disc desiccation is seen with normal disc height. 3mm broad-based disc protrusion is noted resulting in mild impression on the the cal sac centrally. No central canal or neural foraminal stenosis is seen.
L4-5: Mild intervertebral disc desiccation is seen with normal disc height. 4mm broad-based disc protrusion is noted along with short pedicels and mild ligament flavin redundancy resulting in mild central canal stenosis. No neural foraminal stenosis is seen. Mild hypertrophic changes in the facet joints are noted bilaterally.
L5-S1: Moderate intervertebral disc desiccation is seen with normal disc height. 4mm left para central broad-based disc protrusion is noted resulting in mild impression on the thecal sac centrally with mild bilateral lateral recess stenosis seen. Encroachment into the left neural foramen is seen resulting in mild left neural foraminal stenosis. The right neural foramen is patent
L3-4: Mild intervertebral disc desiccation is seen with normal disc height. 3mm broad-based disc protrusion is noted resulting in mild impression on the the cal sac centrally. No central canal or neural foraminal stenosis is seen.
L4-5: Mild intervertebral disc desiccation is seen with normal disc height. 4mm broad-based disc protrusion is noted along with short pedicels and mild ligament flavin redundancy resulting in mild central canal stenosis. No neural foraminal stenosis is seen. Mild hypertrophic changes in the facet joints are noted bilaterally.
L5-S1: Moderate intervertebral disc desiccation is seen with normal disc height. 4mm left para central broad-based disc protrusion is noted resulting in mild impression on the thecal sac centrally with mild bilateral lateral recess stenosis seen. Encroachment into the left neural foramen is seen resulting in mild left neural foraminal stenosis. The right neural foramen is patent
Brief Answer:
Degenerative disc disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
As per your MRI report, You have degenerative spondylosis & disc disease in lumbar spine. It is more severe at the level of L5-S1 with a mild neural foraminal stenosis on the left side.
It occurs due to repetitive overload or stress to the disc & it increases the risk of disc herniation & spinal canal stenosis.
For this condition you have to do stretching & strengthening exercises in which you have to stretch tight muscle & strengthen weakened ones which will alleviate stress on facet joint and disc.
- Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
- Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the disc protrusion. if you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles
- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc
- After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
- Use analgesics like advil or aleve and muscle relaxants to relieve pain and muscle spasm, as needed. Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful in controlling the neuropathic pain.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX
Degenerative disc disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
As per your MRI report, You have degenerative spondylosis & disc disease in lumbar spine. It is more severe at the level of L5-S1 with a mild neural foraminal stenosis on the left side.
It occurs due to repetitive overload or stress to the disc & it increases the risk of disc herniation & spinal canal stenosis.
For this condition you have to do stretching & strengthening exercises in which you have to stretch tight muscle & strengthen weakened ones which will alleviate stress on facet joint and disc.
- Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
- Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the disc protrusion. if you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles
- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc
- After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
- Use analgesics like advil or aleve and muscle relaxants to relieve pain and muscle spasm, as needed. Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful in controlling the neuropathic pain.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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