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What Does The Following MRI Report Indicate?
Question: My MRI says "L3-L4 level -- diffuse disk bulge, annular tear with posterocentral/ right para central disk extrusion and mild caudal migration, impinging the cal sac and underlying cauda mildly' narrowing right lateral recess compressing right traversing L4 nerve root
L4-L5 -- diffuse disk bulge with small focal posterocentral disk protrusion indenting ventral thecal sac and narrowing b/l neural foramina mildly."
Current procedure : have already taken two epidural injection and currently continuing pain killer tablets along with pregabalin. The pain intensity has reduced but still not able to sit and my posture has also tilted to left hand side may be because of pain.
The doctor suggested to go in for third injection.
My question
1) would going for third epidural work ?
2) do I also think for surgery ? If yes than what type ?
3)if surgery is required, than what would be the recovery time post surgery ?
4)what kind of precautions would I have to take in my normal life??
L4-L5 -- diffuse disk bulge with small focal posterocentral disk protrusion indenting ventral thecal sac and narrowing b/l neural foramina mildly."
Current procedure : have already taken two epidural injection and currently continuing pain killer tablets along with pregabalin. The pain intensity has reduced but still not able to sit and my posture has also tilted to left hand side may be because of pain.
The doctor suggested to go in for third injection.
My question
1) would going for third epidural work ?
2) do I also think for surgery ? If yes than what type ?
3)if surgery is required, than what would be the recovery time post surgery ?
4)what kind of precautions would I have to take in my normal life??
Brief Answer:
Third epidural is likely to work as two has already reduced your pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing healthcaremagic for posting your query
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your question in detail and understand your concern.
Answers to your questions are:-
1.Yes, third epidural is likely to work as first two epidurals has reduced pain to some extend.
2.Surgery should be chosen as last choice.After 12 weeks 73%of people are relieved without surgery.
3.If you choose surgery as choice,then microdiscectomy can be chosen, recovery time is nearly two weeks.
4. You should avoid weight lifting and activities involving bending of lumbar spine.
You should sleep in lateral position with both hips and knees bend to get relief.
You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho
Wishing you good health
Take care
Third epidural is likely to work as two has already reduced your pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing healthcaremagic for posting your query
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your question in detail and understand your concern.
Answers to your questions are:-
1.Yes, third epidural is likely to work as first two epidurals has reduced pain to some extend.
2.Surgery should be chosen as last choice.After 12 weeks 73%of people are relieved without surgery.
3.If you choose surgery as choice,then microdiscectomy can be chosen, recovery time is nearly two weeks.
4. You should avoid weight lifting and activities involving bending of lumbar spine.
You should sleep in lateral position with both hips and knees bend to get relief.
You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho
Wishing you good health
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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