Hello and welcome
The CT report of your
lumbar spine gives the following information:
1. There is some abnormality at the level of vertebrae L1 to S1. The vertebrae are numbered according to their location. In lay man language the lumbar region or the lower back is affected.
2. The disc between L1 and L2 shows a
disc protrusion. Between two vertebrae, a cartilagenous disc is present. This disc provides friction-less motion between two vertebrae while bendind, turning, and other movements of the spine.
3. At the level of vertebrae L2-L3, an
osteophyte is seen. Osteophyte is a bony projection formed due to
osteoarthritis (a degenerative condition of bone) of the bone. Between these two vertebrae, there is associated disc protrusion.
4. At L3-L4 level, there is again osteophyte formation.
5. At L4-L5 level, there is disc protrusion.
6. At L5-S1 level there is osteophyte formation.
Protrusion of the disc can further lead to
disc prolapse. Disc prolapse can compress the adjacent
nerve. This compression can cause weakness, altered sensation, etc in the region supplied by these nerves.
The nerve compressed in this disease process is S1 which supplies the lower limb- the foot region.
A
MRI is advised to know whether the structure appearing as disc protrueion is disc or granulation tissue (a tissue formed as a result of inflammation).
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal