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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 15 Oct 2015
Question: i have a diffuse bulge and left sided annular tear
persistent edmatous appearance to the right side l4l l5 degenerative disc and schmorls node bulge with new left sided annular tear bilateral forminal narrowing is noted more focal; right side herniation impinging the righ l4 nerve root
mild facet degeneration

what does all this mean
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
back pain

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You submitted the results of an MRI for your back pain. The results show that the disk, which is the cushion between each vertebra has a tear in it. This tear has some swelling to it making this a recent event. Also you have a slight herniation of the disk material touching against the nerves that run down your leg on the right and left side.

Along with the tear and the small herniation you have arthritis showing on the articulating surfaces of the vertebra. This is the mild facet degeneration.

Your next decision is if these changes are significant enough to require surgery and from what I read it does not sound severe enough. But since I can't actually see the images I am only guessing. If you go to a neurosurgeon or an orthopedist they will be better able to tell you if surgery is needed.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (10 hours later)
Yes this all happened in a year. The new tear and the others. I can bearly walk or stand. I was in a bad accident in 2013 an the last two mri s are getting worse and worse. Would they have to fuse all the together I had my neck done 2 times cause the first surgery the hardware Iinpringed on my esphogus and he removed it 2 mths after surgery then I was rear ended and so this is my dilemma. Should I get it fixed fast or wait since I just had my posterror cervical fusion in may 2015
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Wait

Detailed Answer:
My recommendation is that you wait as long as possible before committing to surgery. As you saw with your other surgeries things go sideways and then you are no better off than you were before. As long as you can tolerate the pain I would try the medication, therapy, even try acupuncture. What ever it takes to prevent you from having surgery

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: back pain Detailed Answer: Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns You submitted the results of an MRI for your back pain. The results show that the disk, which is the cushion between each vertebra has a tear in it. This tear has some swelling to it making this a recent event. Also you have a slight herniation of the disk material touching against the nerves that run down your leg on the right and left side. Along with the tear and the small herniation you have arthritis showing on the articulating surfaces of the vertebra. This is the mild facet degeneration. Your next decision is if these changes are significant enough to require surgery and from what I read it does not sound severe enough. But since I can't actually see the images I am only guessing. If you go to a neurosurgeon or an orthopedist they will be better able to tell you if surgery is needed. I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions