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What Does A "disc Protrusion" In An MRI Scan Indicate?
Question: I had an MRI today and was told I have a "disc protrusion " what is this? how is it treated? can a car accident cause it? and can this be linked to sharp abdominal pains that started at the same time as the back pain?
Brief Answer:
There is possible pinching of nerves due to a displaced spinal disc due to car accident
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
The spine is made up of an alignment of small bones. These bones have sponge like discs between them and the spinal cord passes along the back of these bones through the spinal canal. You seem to be having one of the discs protruding between the bones and this protrusion is backwards and causing narrowing of the spinal canal. You are having this disc protruding in to the spinal canal at more a particular level and causing pinching of nerve roots leading to severe pain in the area supplied by the nerve.
There are patients who get relief by doing physiotherapy and taking neurogenic pain relievers. Injections are also given for relief. However this might not always happen. If your pain is severe and not responding to medical treatment then the disc protrusion needs to be removed by doing a small surgery at the lower back region. Presently, laser assisted surgical techniques are also available.
You can try to feel more comfortable at work by taking small breaks every 30 minutes and not straining your spine especially the painful areas.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
There is possible pinching of nerves due to a displaced spinal disc due to car accident
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
The spine is made up of an alignment of small bones. These bones have sponge like discs between them and the spinal cord passes along the back of these bones through the spinal canal. You seem to be having one of the discs protruding between the bones and this protrusion is backwards and causing narrowing of the spinal canal. You are having this disc protruding in to the spinal canal at more a particular level and causing pinching of nerve roots leading to severe pain in the area supplied by the nerve.
There are patients who get relief by doing physiotherapy and taking neurogenic pain relievers. Injections are also given for relief. However this might not always happen. If your pain is severe and not responding to medical treatment then the disc protrusion needs to be removed by doing a small surgery at the lower back region. Presently, laser assisted surgical techniques are also available.
You can try to feel more comfortable at work by taking small breaks every 30 minutes and not straining your spine especially the painful areas.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
can this have been caused by my car accident and can this be connected to my abdominal pains?
Brief Answer:
Disc problem is connected to car accident
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
The disc problem is only because of the car accident or a trauma of similar intensity. If you did not hurt yourself before the accident then the disc problem is a result of the car accident.
The other abdominal pain, I require more specific details about the pain. Is it continuous or intermittent, whether the pain is in the muscles or in the gall bladder area (I read in one of your earlier queries about your gall bladder removal surgery and IBS symptoms); if the pain is confined to the anterior abdomen and gall bladder area then it is more likely to be a long term consequence of your gall bladder surgery.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Disc problem is connected to car accident
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
The disc problem is only because of the car accident or a trauma of similar intensity. If you did not hurt yourself before the accident then the disc problem is a result of the car accident.
The other abdominal pain, I require more specific details about the pain. Is it continuous or intermittent, whether the pain is in the muscles or in the gall bladder area (I read in one of your earlier queries about your gall bladder removal surgery and IBS symptoms); if the pain is confined to the anterior abdomen and gall bladder area then it is more likely to be a long term consequence of your gall bladder surgery.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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