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What Is L4 And L5 In The Back? I Get

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Posted on Wed, 22 May 2019
Question: What is L4 and L5 in the back? I get steroid shots in the back but don't understand what L4 and L5 are.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
What is L4 and L5 in the back? I get steroid shots in the back but don't understand what L4 and L5 are.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Lumbar vertebral bodies 4 and 5.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.

I have read your query and here is my explanation.

L4 and L5 in the back are medical terms to define the lumbar vertebrae number 4 and 5.

The part of the lumbar spine is divided and composed of 5 vertebral bodies.

I think that the steroid shots are injected between your L4 and L5 vertebrae, this because there is found to be the affected level injured after clinical and radiological evaluation.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Lumbar vertebral bodies 4 and 5.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.

I have read your query and here is my explanation.

L4 and L5 in the back are medical terms to define the lumbar vertebrae number 4 and 5.

The part of the lumbar spine is divided and composed of 5 vertebral bodies.

I think that the steroid shots are injected between your L4 and L5 vertebrae, this because there is found to be the affected level injured after clinical and radiological evaluation.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)
Does that mean there are 5 vertebraes between #4 and #5?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Does that mean there are 5 vertebraes between #4 and #5?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

It means that there are 5 vertebrae in your lumbar spine and the problem (herniated disc, bone spur, stenosis, etc.) is located between the fourth and the fifth lumbar vertebrae.

Between the fourth and the fifth vertebrae is only the intervertebral disc.

Hope this helps.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

It means that there are 5 vertebrae in your lumbar spine and the problem (herniated disc, bone spur, stenosis, etc.) is located between the fourth and the fifth lumbar vertebrae.

Between the fourth and the fifth vertebrae is only the intervertebral disc.

Hope this helps.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 days later)
I have stenosis between the 4th and 5th vertebrae. Also I have scoliosis and DDD. Can you explain what stenosis is and what scoliosis is? I think I understand the DDD. I have had a steroid shot in my back this last month and it normally does really good and gives me a lot of pain relief. This time, however, it gave me nothing but pain in both my buttocks. What does the pain in the buttocks mean? What causes that? Do you know of any help for me besides the steroid shots? I don't want to do surgery at this time. I take 200 mg of Lyrica in the morning for lower buttocks pain. The Lyrica takes the pain away until the afternoon. Then I take 100 mg Lyrica for relief. It helps a little bit. What options do you see for me?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I have stenosis between the 4th and 5th vertebrae. Also I have scoliosis and DDD. Can you explain what stenosis is and what scoliosis is? I think I understand the DDD. I have had a steroid shot in my back this last month and it normally does really good and gives me a lot of pain relief. This time, however, it gave me nothing but pain in both my buttocks. What does the pain in the buttocks mean? What causes that? Do you know of any help for me besides the steroid shots? I don't want to do surgery at this time. I take 200 mg of Lyrica in the morning for lower buttocks pain. The Lyrica takes the pain away until the afternoon. Then I take 100 mg Lyrica for relief. It helps a little bit. What options do you see for me?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Stenosis is the medical term for narrowed and compressed spinal cord.

Scoliosis is the term to describe abnormal alignment left or right of the spinal column.

Steroid shots may irritate the nerves during the procedure, in some of the cases, resulting in symptoms such as yours.
Surgery is indicated in case of failure of conservative treatment or injections, also, in cases of neurological deficits.

So, if you feel better with injections and Lyrica, you can avoid surgery for now.

I would suggest physical therapy in addition to the current treatment in your case.

Steroid injections are recommended up to three times.

Hope this helps.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Answered below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Stenosis is the medical term for narrowed and compressed spinal cord.

Scoliosis is the term to describe abnormal alignment left or right of the spinal column.

Steroid shots may irritate the nerves during the procedure, in some of the cases, resulting in symptoms such as yours.
Surgery is indicated in case of failure of conservative treatment or injections, also, in cases of neurological deficits.

So, if you feel better with injections and Lyrica, you can avoid surgery for now.

I would suggest physical therapy in addition to the current treatment in your case.

Steroid injections are recommended up to three times.

Hope this helps.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)
Thanks for your help. I don't understand narrow and compressed spinal cord in stenosis. Also, I don't understand abnormal alignment left or right of the spinal column in scoliosis. Could you explain these more simply? Sorry I'm such a dunce.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Thanks for your help. I don't understand narrow and compressed spinal cord in stenosis. Also, I don't understand abnormal alignment left or right of the spinal column in scoliosis. Could you explain these more simply? Sorry I'm such a dunce.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (24 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

The normal lumbar spine canal width ( where the terminal spinal cord passes ) is approximately 20 mm.

Stenosis is considered in cases where there is a remaining width of 12 or less mm as a result of herniated disc towards the spinal cord ( or canal ) for example.

The spinal column seen from anterior to posterior in imaging studies should be straight.

In scoliosis there is a "S" shaped form when the spinal column is seen from anterior to posterior ( or from front to back ).

Hope this helps.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

The normal lumbar spine canal width ( where the terminal spinal cord passes ) is approximately 20 mm.

Stenosis is considered in cases where there is a remaining width of 12 or less mm as a result of herniated disc towards the spinal cord ( or canal ) for example.

The spinal column seen from anterior to posterior in imaging studies should be straight.

In scoliosis there is a "S" shaped form when the spinal column is seen from anterior to posterior ( or from front to back ).

Hope this helps.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (9 hours later)
Yes, your explanation helped. Thanks. One more question. Every morning when I wake up, the bottom of my buttocks (all across the bottom) hurts. What causes this?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Yes, your explanation helped. Thanks. One more question. Every morning when I wake up, the bottom of my buttocks (all across the bottom) hurts. What causes this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Arthritis of the low back may cause such symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

These symptoms may indicate some degree of arthritis of your lumbosacral spine.

Movement is the best way to improve these symptoms.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Arthritis of the low back may cause such symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

These symptoms may indicate some degree of arthritis of your lumbosacral spine.

Movement is the best way to improve these symptoms.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4501 Questions

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What Is L4 And L5 In The Back? I Get

What is L4 and L5 in the back? I get steroid shots in the back but don't understand what L4 and L5 are.