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What Do This MRI Report Indicate?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I was having back pain from almost 8 months back. I did an MRI in last January and it was showing minor bulge in l4-l5 level. After that I did some physiotherapy exercise after consulting a doctor and with the help of a specialist . Pain symptom has reduced but if I am going to office now and sitting in office then I am feeling pain again. I did one more MRI and below is the findings.
1) Diffuse annular bulge with focal left foraminal protrusion at l4-l5 level , impinging on left exiting l4 nerve root.
2) Diffuse annular bulge at l5-S1 level.
3) No Intra spinal mass.
4) Normal Conus
5) Bony Spinal canal stenosis at L2,L3 and L4 levels
Kindly provide your view and suggestion on this. Though I don't understand the terms but I am worried on this. Please help me on this.
for information I am 37 year male working in IT industry
Thanks & Regards XXXXXXX
I was having back pain from almost 8 months back. I did an MRI in last January and it was showing minor bulge in l4-l5 level. After that I did some physiotherapy exercise after consulting a doctor and with the help of a specialist . Pain symptom has reduced but if I am going to office now and sitting in office then I am feeling pain again. I did one more MRI and below is the findings.
1) Diffuse annular bulge with focal left foraminal protrusion at l4-l5 level , impinging on left exiting l4 nerve root.
2) Diffuse annular bulge at l5-S1 level.
3) No Intra spinal mass.
4) Normal Conus
5) Bony Spinal canal stenosis at L2,L3 and L4 levels
Kindly provide your view and suggestion on this. Though I don't understand the terms but I am worried on this. Please help me on this.
for information I am 37 year male working in IT industry
Thanks & Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
MRI findings meaning and treatment of it
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. You are young but due to your computer work, you have developed lumbar canal stenosis and mild disc bulging. Your MRI is suggestive of-
: Disc bulge at L4-5, L5-S1 level. Bulge is first change in disc. It becomes more dangerous if any annular tear and disc protrusion/herniation or migration. So you are still spared.
: L4 exiting nerve root is slightly compressed by it. But as you are not having any radicular pain in lower limb, it means it is silent.
: The covering around nerves are compressed which is causing backpain along with lumbar canal stenosis at L2,3,4.
: Rest normal
So your back pain is most probably due to stenosis and compression of dura or coverings. It can be managed by conservative treatment like
: Avoid exertion and extension of spine.
: You can bend forward but not backward
: Avoid bad sitting posture. Sit with straight posture.
: Consult physiotherapist for back muscle exercise and posture manitainence.
: You can apply warm compresses and diclofenac painkiller gel over pain site thrice a day after prescription.
: If still pain occurs, you can take tablet Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription.
: If any radicular sharp pain, you can take Tablet Pregabaline after prescription.
: Also kindly check your Vitamin D3 level to rule out any low D3.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
MRI findings meaning and treatment of it
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. You are young but due to your computer work, you have developed lumbar canal stenosis and mild disc bulging. Your MRI is suggestive of-
: Disc bulge at L4-5, L5-S1 level. Bulge is first change in disc. It becomes more dangerous if any annular tear and disc protrusion/herniation or migration. So you are still spared.
: L4 exiting nerve root is slightly compressed by it. But as you are not having any radicular pain in lower limb, it means it is silent.
: The covering around nerves are compressed which is causing backpain along with lumbar canal stenosis at L2,3,4.
: Rest normal
So your back pain is most probably due to stenosis and compression of dura or coverings. It can be managed by conservative treatment like
: Avoid exertion and extension of spine.
: You can bend forward but not backward
: Avoid bad sitting posture. Sit with straight posture.
: Consult physiotherapist for back muscle exercise and posture manitainence.
: You can apply warm compresses and diclofenac painkiller gel over pain site thrice a day after prescription.
: If still pain occurs, you can take tablet Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription.
: If any radicular sharp pain, you can take Tablet Pregabaline after prescription.
: Also kindly check your Vitamin D3 level to rule out any low D3.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you sir for your response.
Actually I forget to mention that pain was radiating to left leg till knee and some time right side also.
Whenever I do stretching exercise I get relived from radiating pain. But if I am travelling and sitting in office I am feeling more pain. Initially I had taken Pregabaline for few days. I have given blood sample for vitamin D.
I would like to understand is it very serious. also do I need to take a long break from my office. I am unable to concentrate on my work because of this.
usually how long it take to recover from this.
Thanks & Regards XXXXXXX
Actually I forget to mention that pain was radiating to left leg till knee and some time right side also.
Whenever I do stretching exercise I get relived from radiating pain. But if I am travelling and sitting in office I am feeling more pain. Initially I had taken Pregabaline for few days. I have given blood sample for vitamin D.
I would like to understand is it very serious. also do I need to take a long break from my office. I am unable to concentrate on my work because of this.
usually how long it take to recover from this.
Thanks & Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Lumbar canal stenosis prognosis and affect on body
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
As per your history, you are also having radiculopathy or radiating pain. It means the exiting nerve compression is causing symptoms.
You have to take precautions to treat it. Lumbar canal stenosis can be self-limiting disease if patient takes precautions and follow healthy life style. According to research, lumbar canal stenosis patients get same amount of relief after 1 year whether operated or not. It can become serious if it is progressive. In that case, it can cause thinning of limbs, not able to walk, urinary and bowel incontinence.
To control it and get relief, first follow above mentioned instructions. After it, you can also do
: If you are obese, try to reduce weight
: Avoid weight lifting in bad posture
: You can take pregabaline intermittently in case of severe pain.
: Also take S-adenosylmethionine after proper prescription. It is good for nerve regeneration.
: Try to increase your lower back muscle strength. It will share load with spine and later on will give relief in backpain.
: No need to stop office work. Just put the firm pad over your back region in sitting position. It will maintain curve.
Hope it will help you. Thanks.
Take care.
Lumbar canal stenosis prognosis and affect on body
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome back.
As per your history, you are also having radiculopathy or radiating pain. It means the exiting nerve compression is causing symptoms.
You have to take precautions to treat it. Lumbar canal stenosis can be self-limiting disease if patient takes precautions and follow healthy life style. According to research, lumbar canal stenosis patients get same amount of relief after 1 year whether operated or not. It can become serious if it is progressive. In that case, it can cause thinning of limbs, not able to walk, urinary and bowel incontinence.
To control it and get relief, first follow above mentioned instructions. After it, you can also do
: If you are obese, try to reduce weight
: Avoid weight lifting in bad posture
: You can take pregabaline intermittently in case of severe pain.
: Also take S-adenosylmethionine after proper prescription. It is good for nerve regeneration.
: Try to increase your lower back muscle strength. It will share load with spine and later on will give relief in backpain.
: No need to stop office work. Just put the firm pad over your back region in sitting position. It will maintain curve.
Hope it will help you. Thanks.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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