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MRI Shows Degenerative Changes In The Spine. Advised To Undergo Back Surgery. Opinion?
My mom s MRi report shows degenrative changes in the spine . Transitional vertebra at lumarosacral junction with sacralisation of L5 vertebral body. Also its mentions posterocentral and paracentral disc protusion at L5-l4 with minimal cranial migration causing identation of thecal sac and narrowing of bilateral lateral recess / foramen compressing exiting nerve roots. Doctors in India have adviced undergoing an back surgery with 50 -50 percent chances but we are a little concern about undergoing a back surgery. We are not sure about the chances and also recovery time needed. Your advise will be greatly apprciated.
Mon, 19 Aug 2013
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query and MRI spine findings of your mother.
The decision to operate would depend not only on the MRI findings, but also on the clinical symptoms and examination findings of the patient.
In general, only about 10-20% of patients with these findings would require surgery and the rest can be managed with medications and physiotherapy. In operated cases, the success rate is more than 95% cases, if the case selection is correct.
I would request you to get back with patients symptoms and examination findings.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Thank you for posting your query and MRI spine findings of your mother.
The decision to operate would depend not only on the MRI findings, but also on the clinical symptoms and examination findings of the patient.
In general, only about 10-20% of patients with these findings would require surgery and the rest can be managed with medications and physiotherapy. In operated cases, the success rate is more than 95% cases, if the case selection is correct.
I would request you to get back with patients symptoms and examination findings.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
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