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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Taken MRI Scan. How To Get Better?

Hi, the following are the results of my MRI scan. I am a dance teacher and heavy circuit trainer. What are the possibilities to get better? thanks in advance

The Lumbar curvature is preserved. Lumbar vertebral body heights, marrow signal intensity and alignment are normal. Lower end of the spinal cord has normal appearances.
The L3-L4 disc is reduced in height and reveals a broad posterior portion and a generalised bulge which indents the ventral thecal sac compressing the traversing L4 nerve roots in the lateral recesses and also compromising the exiting L3 nerve roots in the neural foramina. Moderate facet changes are present.
The L4-L5 disc reveals left postorolateral annular fissuring and a generalised bulge associated with facet changes and thickening ligamentum flavum. There is bilateral neural foraminal narrowing and contract with the exiting L4 nerve roots. There is a thecal sac narrowing without critical stenosis.
At the L5-S1 there is facet changes but no critical neural compression shown.

Conclusion; Lumbar Disc degeneration with a broad posterior protrusion and generalised bulge at the L3-L4 indenting the traversing nerve roots and both neural foramina and exiting nerve roots; generalised bulge L4-L5 with annular fissuring and bilateral formaninal and exiting L4 nerve root indentation; lower lumbar facet changes.
Mon, 22 Apr 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,

The MRI of your spine suggests some changes in the lower lumbar spine.
The lumbar vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs.
These discs are cartilagenous and act as shock absorbers.
The promnent changes are present in the intervertabral discs between L3-L4 and between L4-S1. These changes are degenerative.
Due to these degenerative changes, the disc protrudes and compresses the nerve roots especially the L4 nerve root.
The L4 nerve root supplies the lower limb.
Due to compression of this nerve root, the symptoms can be felt in the lower limb.

Initially, management of this condition is conservative.
this involves rest and avoiding movements which accelerate the degeneration of the intervertebral discs.

You need to consult an rthopediatian for further work up.

Thanks and take care.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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Have Taken MRI Scan. How To Get Better?

Hello and welcome to HCM, The MRI of your spine suggests some changes in the lower lumbar spine. The lumbar vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs. These discs are cartilagenous and act as shock absorbers. The promnent changes are present in the intervertabral discs between L3-L4 and between L4-S1. These changes are degenerative. Due to these degenerative changes, the disc protrudes and compresses the nerve roots especially the L4 nerve root. The L4 nerve root supplies the lower limb. Due to compression of this nerve root, the symptoms can be felt in the lower limb. Initially, management of this condition is conservative. this involves rest and avoiding movements which accelerate the degeneration of the intervertebral discs. You need to consult an rthopediatian for further work up. Thanks and take care. Dr Shailja P Wahal