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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does L-3- L4 There Is A Diffuse Disc Bulge Mean?

Hi I have had a MRI done and it states that L-3- L4 there is a diffuse disc bulge and that I have at L-5 - S-1 There is no disc protrusion,spinal stenosis or foraminall stenosis. L-4- L-5 Moderate degenerative spinal stenosis. I have a lot of pain off and on. What does all of this mean and does it mean I will have to have surgery
Tue, 19 Aug 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Between two vertebrae, there's a cartilaginous disc which has outer cover of annular fibres and inner viscus fluid content called nucleus plulposus.
In old age or in case of excessive stress due to various reasons in young age these annular fibres undergo wear and tear and they become loose and overall cartilaginous disc bulges diffusely, in your case at L3-L4 vertebral level.
This bulged disc comes in close proximity to spinal cord and spinal nerves behind them and it may compress spinal cord and nerves and foraminal stenosis which is a cause of pain, tingling and weakness in back and limbs depending on severity.
Spinal nervers come out from the transverse foramen present on either side on vertebral transverse process.
Physiotherapy can help to a great extent to this problem. But if it doesn't help discectomy or decompression surgery may need to be done.
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What Does L-3- L4 There Is A Diffuse Disc Bulge Mean?

Between two vertebrae, there s a cartilaginous disc which has outer cover of annular fibres and inner viscus fluid content called nucleus plulposus. In old age or in case of excessive stress due to various reasons in young age these annular fibres undergo wear and tear and they become loose and overall cartilaginous disc bulges diffusely, in your case at L3-L4 vertebral level. This bulged disc comes in close proximity to spinal cord and spinal nerves behind them and it may compress spinal cord and nerves and foraminal stenosis which is a cause of pain, tingling and weakness in back and limbs depending on severity. Spinal nervers come out from the transverse foramen present on either side on vertebral transverse process. Physiotherapy can help to a great extent to this problem. But if it doesn t help discectomy or decompression surgery may need to be done.