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MRI Showing Diffuse Bulge Of The Discs, Excessive Fat Deposition , Indenting The Cal Sac. Advice?

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Posted on Tue, 4 Mar 2014
Question: Hi, may I answer your health queries right now ? Please type your query here...i have diffuse bulges of L2/3>,L3/4 and L5/S1 discs ,indenting thecal sac and mildly compromising lateral recesses.Excessive epidural fat deposition at L5 leveL, COMPROMISING THECAL SAC
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (13 hours later)
Hi,

Welcome to XXXXXXX Forum,

The Disc Bulge is a word used to describe findings seen on a MRI study of the spine . The spinal discs are soft cushions that rest between the bones of the spine, the vertebrae. When a disc is damaged, it may herniate to push against the spinal cord and spinal nerves

It could be considered as precursor to herniation of the disc. Herniated Disc is similar to a Disc Bulge except that the outer layers of the disc actually becomes week to the point of tearing the covering (annulus fibrosis ) of the actual disc matter ( nucleus pulposus ). The herniated disc can cause compression on the nerves emerging out from the spinal cord and cause symptoms like undefined pains in the thighs, knees, or feet. Other symptoms may include sensory changes such as numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, paralysis, paraesthesia, and affection of reflexes.

In the absence of such symptoms, the findings seen on the MRI can be considered insignificant. Write back to us if you have any such symptoms.

Proper exercises to strengthen the lower back and abdominal muscles are key in preventing excess stress and compressive forces on lumbar disks. Good posture will help prevent problems on cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disks. These minor changes can prevent the complications.

You have also not mentioned your weight. Overweight and obesity is a factor causing the bulges. Extra weight puts added stress on your lower back and weakens the muscles. Lose excess weight or maintain your ideal body weight.

Lie on your back on a flat and firm surface. Grip your hands behind your thigh and pull it towards your chest. Keep the opposite leg flat on the surface. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then switch legs and repeat.

Back strengthening exercises are as follow.

1. Lie on your back on a flat and firm surface. Grip your hands behind both of your thighs and pull them toward your chest. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then rest and repeat.

2. Kneel on flat firm surface and rest your buttocks on your heels. Lower yourself slowly and raise your arms out in front. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds and then come back to neutral position. Repeat this process favoring your left side next and then your right side. Keep rotating center, left and right.

3. Lie on your back on a flat and firm surface. Your feet should be flat, knees bent, and your legs should be together. Tilt your pelvis and push your lower back to the floor and slowly lift your buttocks off the floor as far as possible without straining. Hold this position for 5 seconds and then lower your buttocks to the floor


Thanks for visiting XXXXXXX com,

I will be available to answer your follow up query as well,

Take care, Bye.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (2 days later)
as mentioned by u i have numbness in thighs (sides ) while sleeping , numbness in knees while sleeipng sideways when one knee is on the other and constant pain in the lower back.yes as u said i'm overweight 117 kgs and my height is 5ft 10 inches. i have begun with swimming.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (11 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX XXXXXXX ,

Thanks for the follow up query ,

If the symptoms like pain and the numbness both are constant ,the scan findings
have to be considered seriously but cannot conclude that the herniation has
occured, the scan will be the one which confirms that . Do follow the above mentioned
exercises to prevent the disc herniation .

Loosing weight will surely help in preventing worsening of the condition.Continue
swimming and other weight loosing techniques.

Wish you Good Health.

Disclaimer: The Expert’s advice is provided for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, as a complete assessment of an individual has not taken place. Please consult your nearest physician before acting on it. The advice is not valid for medico-legal purposes also.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 4933 Questions

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MRI Showing Diffuse Bulge Of The Discs, Excessive Fat Deposition , Indenting The Cal Sac. Advice?

Hi,

Welcome to XXXXXXX Forum,

The Disc Bulge is a word used to describe findings seen on a MRI study of the spine . The spinal discs are soft cushions that rest between the bones of the spine, the vertebrae. When a disc is damaged, it may herniate to push against the spinal cord and spinal nerves

It could be considered as precursor to herniation of the disc. Herniated Disc is similar to a Disc Bulge except that the outer layers of the disc actually becomes week to the point of tearing the covering (annulus fibrosis ) of the actual disc matter ( nucleus pulposus ). The herniated disc can cause compression on the nerves emerging out from the spinal cord and cause symptoms like undefined pains in the thighs, knees, or feet. Other symptoms may include sensory changes such as numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, paralysis, paraesthesia, and affection of reflexes.

In the absence of such symptoms, the findings seen on the MRI can be considered insignificant. Write back to us if you have any such symptoms.

Proper exercises to strengthen the lower back and abdominal muscles are key in preventing excess stress and compressive forces on lumbar disks. Good posture will help prevent problems on cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disks. These minor changes can prevent the complications.

You have also not mentioned your weight. Overweight and obesity is a factor causing the bulges. Extra weight puts added stress on your lower back and weakens the muscles. Lose excess weight or maintain your ideal body weight.

Lie on your back on a flat and firm surface. Grip your hands behind your thigh and pull it towards your chest. Keep the opposite leg flat on the surface. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then switch legs and repeat.

Back strengthening exercises are as follow.

1. Lie on your back on a flat and firm surface. Grip your hands behind both of your thighs and pull them toward your chest. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then rest and repeat.

2. Kneel on flat firm surface and rest your buttocks on your heels. Lower yourself slowly and raise your arms out in front. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds and then come back to neutral position. Repeat this process favoring your left side next and then your right side. Keep rotating center, left and right.

3. Lie on your back on a flat and firm surface. Your feet should be flat, knees bent, and your legs should be together. Tilt your pelvis and push your lower back to the floor and slowly lift your buttocks off the floor as far as possible without straining. Hold this position for 5 seconds and then lower your buttocks to the floor


Thanks for visiting XXXXXXX com,

I will be available to answer your follow up query as well,

Take care, Bye.