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Suggest Treatment For Bulging Discs
Question: I have mild diffuse disc bulge at T12-L1 with a small right paracentral disc protusion. As well as L3-L4 Mild diffuse disc bulge. and Mild facet and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Mild foraminal encroachment. L-L5 Mild diffuse disc bulge. Mild facet & ligamentum hypertrophy. Mild to moderate bilateral foraminal encroachment. L4-L5 Mild diffuse disc bulge. Mild facet & ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Mild to Moderate bilateral foraminal encroachment. Mild Central Canal compromise. L5-S1 Mild diffuse disc bulge. Facet hypertrophy. Mild right foraminal encroachment... Do I need surgery? What is the the standard treatment for these problems?
Brief Answer:
Step wise approach is recommended starting with medicine and physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The lower back spine is called the lumbar spine, the region which has been imaged for you. There are small bones called vertebrae which are aligned on top of each other. There is a space called central canal at the posterior of the vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes and is called the spinal canal. Between any two vertebrae we have spongy discs which allow movement of the bones. There are nerve roots which pass between the bones along the sides through foramen.
2. You have disc degeneration at multiple levels with mild disc bulge. The levels are T 12 - L 1, L 3 - L 4, L 4 - L 5 and L 5 - S 1. In these levels the disc is causing some amount of pressure over the nerve roots. This can be cause of significant pain to you probably more involving the right side.
3. If your MRI scan shows mild disc bulges then surgery is not required. The standard treatment is usually after matching the MRI findings and symptoms. With features like ones you have, avoiding heavy physical activity, mild pain relief medicines and physiotherapy should help.
If the pain continues or worsens over 6 months then you might require nerve pain relief and higher medicines. This can be watched for a year. If pain still worsens then review MRI is done and treatments like steroid injections are prescribed. Surgery is to release the pressure on compressed nerve roots for those who do not respond to medical treatment. However surgery improves the symptoms in half the patients only.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Step wise approach is recommended starting with medicine and physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The lower back spine is called the lumbar spine, the region which has been imaged for you. There are small bones called vertebrae which are aligned on top of each other. There is a space called central canal at the posterior of the vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes and is called the spinal canal. Between any two vertebrae we have spongy discs which allow movement of the bones. There are nerve roots which pass between the bones along the sides through foramen.
2. You have disc degeneration at multiple levels with mild disc bulge. The levels are T 12 - L 1, L 3 - L 4, L 4 - L 5 and L 5 - S 1. In these levels the disc is causing some amount of pressure over the nerve roots. This can be cause of significant pain to you probably more involving the right side.
3. If your MRI scan shows mild disc bulges then surgery is not required. The standard treatment is usually after matching the MRI findings and symptoms. With features like ones you have, avoiding heavy physical activity, mild pain relief medicines and physiotherapy should help.
If the pain continues or worsens over 6 months then you might require nerve pain relief and higher medicines. This can be watched for a year. If pain still worsens then review MRI is done and treatments like steroid injections are prescribed. Surgery is to release the pressure on compressed nerve roots for those who do not respond to medical treatment. However surgery improves the symptoms in half the patients only.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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