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What Does My MRI Scan Test Report Indicate?
Question: I just had an MRI and the report shows severe degenerative disk disease at the L-4-5 and L5-S1 level with grade 1 anterior and posterior spondylolisthesis at these levels. There is severe neural forminal narrowing at the L4-5 and the L5-S1 level, worse on the right at the L4-5 level. Mild edema is suspected within and about the posterior elements at the L4-5 level. Should i consider surgery? I have had epidural shots that help some but have not been too effective the last 6 months. I am still pretty active, but I do have pain and take tramadol twice a day and wish that I could take it 3 times a day,\.Thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I would wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If I were to read the MRI report alone then yes perhaps I would recommend surgery considering the description of severe foraminal narrowing. However the decision is guided also by the symptoms and the patient.
It is unclear whether you have only back pain or also sciatica involving your limb which would indicate nerve root compression by the narrowing. If you are active and able to control the pain with Tramadol and especially you have only back pain and not radicular one, then I would suggest to continue conservative management with pain killers, physical therapy and the use of lumbar support. If later on persistent nerve pain with motor deficit develops then yes, you should consider surgery.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
I would wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If I were to read the MRI report alone then yes perhaps I would recommend surgery considering the description of severe foraminal narrowing. However the decision is guided also by the symptoms and the patient.
It is unclear whether you have only back pain or also sciatica involving your limb which would indicate nerve root compression by the narrowing. If you are active and able to control the pain with Tramadol and especially you have only back pain and not radicular one, then I would suggest to continue conservative management with pain killers, physical therapy and the use of lumbar support. If later on persistent nerve pain with motor deficit develops then yes, you should consider surgery.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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