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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Mild Facet Arthropathy But No Significant Stenosis Indicate?

My MRI of the Lumbar Spine without contrast stated as follow: No comparison available. There is minimal degree of grade I anterolisthesis of L3 on L4. Remainder of alignment is anatomic. Bone marrow signal intensity is normal. The conus terminates at L1. L1-L2: Negative. L2-L3: Mild facet arthropathy but no stenosis. L3-L4: There is moderate degenerative facet arthropathy. There is mild grade I anterolisthesis of L3 as described above. There is disc height & signal intensity loss associated with a diffuse disc bulge. There is mild buckling of the ligamentum flavum. This results in a moderate degree of spinal canal stenosis & moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. L4-L5 disce height & signal intensity loss & diffuse disc bulge & there is moderate bilateral facet arthropathy resulting in mild spinal canal & moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. L5-S1: Mild facet arthropathy but no significant stenosis. My question is what does all this mean.?
Wed, 10 Sep 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Welcome to Health care magic.

1.There is less than 25% grade I listhesis ( anterior movement of the vertebrae ) at the level of L3 on L$.
2.The spinal chord conus terminates at L1-L2 level ( can be normal variations)
3.L2-L3 facet joint inflammatory changes noted
4.Few degenerative changes noted in the lower lumbar with nerve root cased pressure effect.
5.And pressure effect causing on the spinal chord but insignificant.
6.This means there ae several degenerative changes could be age related or heavy working environment. Treatment will be exercise followed by physiotherapy and listhesis to be followup . Good luck

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What Does Mild Facet Arthropathy But No Significant Stenosis Indicate?

Welcome to Health care magic. 1.There is less than 25% grade I listhesis ( anterior movement of the vertebrae ) at the level of L3 on L$. 2.The spinal chord conus terminates at L1-L2 level ( can be normal variations) 3.L2-L3 facet joint inflammatory changes noted 4.Few degenerative changes noted in the lower lumbar with nerve root cased pressure effect. 5.And pressure effect causing on the spinal chord but insignificant. 6.This means there ae several degenerative changes could be age related or heavy working environment. Treatment will be exercise followed by physiotherapy and listhesis to be followup . Good luck Hope it helps you. Wish you a good health. Anything to ask ? do not hesitate. Thank you.