
What Do These MRI Findings Indicate?

I am 52 year old man I have a lower back pain since four years, I did an MRI and the results are as below.
Could you please show how serious the case is and what action I need to tack and do you recommend a surgery or not.
Thanks beforehand,
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MRI of the thoraco-lumber spine
Important Findings:
- Loss of the normal thoracolumbar curvatures suggesting paravertebral muscle spasm.
- DV6/7 posterior and left posterolateral disc protrusion is noted indenting the thecal sac and mildly encroaching upon the left exit foramen.
- Mild spondylotic changes are seen with Partial desiccation of the examined discs and lower lumber facet osteoarthropathy as well as areas of thickened ligamentum flava.
- Overview of the cervical spine dhowed CV5/6 and CV6/7 posterior disc bulges with bilateral foraminal compromise.
Impression:
DV6/7 left posterolateral disc protrusion compromising the left exit foremen.
Spondylottic changes in cervical and lumbar spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You are suffering from PIVD at lumbar and cervical region. Due to this Disc bulge pressure occurs on nerve roots & radiation of pain and numbness occurs in that dermatotome. Right now you are having only minor disc bulge and mild foraminal stenosis causing just a mild compression of the nerve roots. Physiotherapy like intermittent lumbar/cervical traction , back and cervical exercise reduces pressure of disc bulge for some time & gives relief.
Surgery is not immediately needed. Regular exercises can retard the further progression of the problem and delay the surgery by a decade.
The following measures will help with the pain
• Lie on a hard bed.
• Anti -inflammatory drugs like Tablet Motrin 1 tablet as and when required ( dont repeat a dose before 6 hours) with food. Do get oral muscle relaxants prescribed from your orthopedician for a prolonged relief.
• Avoid forward bending.
• Correct your posture while sitting
• Avoid prolonged sitting
• Avoid strenuous activity & lifting heavy weights.
• Apply diclofenac gel on the affected area. Warm compresses will also help.
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

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