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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: mri of the lumbar sno signifipine with screening of the sacroiliac joints observed that
multilevel degenerative disc disease, most prominent at L4-5 with indentation of the right L5 nerve root as described above. Right convex curvature of the dorsolumber spine.
No significant abnormality on screening of the sacroiliac joints
multilevel degenerative disc disease, most prominent at L4-5 with indentation of the right L5 nerve root as described above. Right convex curvature of the dorsolumber spine.
No significant abnormality on screening of the sacroiliac joints
Brief Answer:
Please try non surgical treatment first
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The lower back spine contains small bones aligned on top of each other with spongy discs between them.
2. Between any 2 bones there are holes on either side through which nerves originating from the spinal cord pass through.
3. Due to aging, the small bones develop bony outgrowths and the discs also degenerate. This causes pressure on the nerve roots and therefore the person feels pain in the area supplied by the nerve and in lower back.
4. Your MRI scan is showing degenerative changes at more than one level in the lower back and this is maximum at L 4 - L 5 disc level and this is causing pinching of L 5 nerve root on the right side leading to pain and discomfort.
5. Right convex curvature of dorsolumbar spine is not a serious problem.
6. Initially you can try to avoid heavy physical activity and take mild pain relief spray and ointment. If there is pain even after using ointment then you can take oral pain relief medicines. Please avoid long term use of oral pain relief medicines. You can try physiotherapy sessions for comfort.
7. If there is no significant pain relief after 6 months and worsening pain then you can take treatment with injections. Surgery is last solution when pain is severe however surgery does not help every patient and 40 percent patients continue to have pain and therefore surgery is to be carefully discussed with the neurosurgeon and to be done only if there is high chance of symptomatic improvement.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards
Please try non surgical treatment first
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The lower back spine contains small bones aligned on top of each other with spongy discs between them.
2. Between any 2 bones there are holes on either side through which nerves originating from the spinal cord pass through.
3. Due to aging, the small bones develop bony outgrowths and the discs also degenerate. This causes pressure on the nerve roots and therefore the person feels pain in the area supplied by the nerve and in lower back.
4. Your MRI scan is showing degenerative changes at more than one level in the lower back and this is maximum at L 4 - L 5 disc level and this is causing pinching of L 5 nerve root on the right side leading to pain and discomfort.
5. Right convex curvature of dorsolumbar spine is not a serious problem.
6. Initially you can try to avoid heavy physical activity and take mild pain relief spray and ointment. If there is pain even after using ointment then you can take oral pain relief medicines. Please avoid long term use of oral pain relief medicines. You can try physiotherapy sessions for comfort.
7. If there is no significant pain relief after 6 months and worsening pain then you can take treatment with injections. Surgery is last solution when pain is severe however surgery does not help every patient and 40 percent patients continue to have pain and therefore surgery is to be carefully discussed with the neurosurgeon and to be done only if there is high chance of symptomatic improvement.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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