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Suggest Treatment For Severe Leg Pain And Osteoarthritis
Question: hi i have just received a result of my mri done on full spine a couple of weeks ago i also had a ct scan of my hips done too which show osteoarthritis. I still have bad pain permanently cannot walk more than 100m before pain down front of legs etc, cant stand or sit long physiotheraphy and hydrotheraphy made things worse. I am on norspan patch and lyrica. these help pain but i dont seem to have any improvement in over a year just wanting someone in the know to explain mri result to me as I seem to be in permanent pain and not improving. thanks
Brief Answer:
explanation of MRI
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First let me explain some terms. Stenosis is narrowing and when they speak of canal stenosis they are talking about the spinal canal. If there is stenosis of the spinal canal then this can push on the spinal cord and cause pain or paralysis. Foramen are the holes in the vertebral bodies that the spinal nerves pass through to get to the rest of the body. If you have foraminal stenosis then it can compress the nerves again causing pain or paralysis. The thecal sac is the connective tissue sac that surrounds the spinal cord. It is filled with spinal fluid and the spinal cord. If there is impingement on the thecal sac it can cause pain in the nerve.
Osteophytes are bony spurs that occur in people with arthritis of the spine.
IN THE NECK- you have some mild osteophytes and some impingement on the thecal sac. In some areas you have mild to moderate foraminal stenosis. The cervical spine nerves go to the arms so this would not have an effect on your ability to walk but could cause neck and/or arm pain.
THORACIC SPINE-There are some areas of mild to moderate thecal sac impingement but no foraminal stenosis
LUMBAR SPINE-as in the neck there are some disc protrusions causing impingement on the thecal sac and some encroachments on the foramen in some areas
In all areas the spinal cord has a normal appearance. It does not appear to have been damaged by these finding but you can still have pain from some of these narrowings, especially of the foramen.
Let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson
explanation of MRI
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First let me explain some terms. Stenosis is narrowing and when they speak of canal stenosis they are talking about the spinal canal. If there is stenosis of the spinal canal then this can push on the spinal cord and cause pain or paralysis. Foramen are the holes in the vertebral bodies that the spinal nerves pass through to get to the rest of the body. If you have foraminal stenosis then it can compress the nerves again causing pain or paralysis. The thecal sac is the connective tissue sac that surrounds the spinal cord. It is filled with spinal fluid and the spinal cord. If there is impingement on the thecal sac it can cause pain in the nerve.
Osteophytes are bony spurs that occur in people with arthritis of the spine.
IN THE NECK- you have some mild osteophytes and some impingement on the thecal sac. In some areas you have mild to moderate foraminal stenosis. The cervical spine nerves go to the arms so this would not have an effect on your ability to walk but could cause neck and/or arm pain.
THORACIC SPINE-There are some areas of mild to moderate thecal sac impingement but no foraminal stenosis
LUMBAR SPINE-as in the neck there are some disc protrusions causing impingement on the thecal sac and some encroachments on the foramen in some areas
In all areas the spinal cord has a normal appearance. It does not appear to have been damaged by these finding but you can still have pain from some of these narrowings, especially of the foramen.
Let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi Dr XXXXXXX thankyou for your detailed answer. I only have one question now and that is does this heal up with time or get worse and what can be done about the pain anything or will i just have to stay on norspan and lyrica. thanks
Brief Answer:
hard to say
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is really difficult to say. Sometimes these things get better but sometimes they progress and get worse. It is possible that a spine specialist could do some injections of steroid around the areas of impingement and give you some relief. It is sad that physiotherapy did not help you, that is often where people get some relief. You could try a chiropractor or acupuncture and see if they could give you some relief. If not then pain medications may be your best bet.
I wish you the best,
Dr. Robinson
hard to say
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is really difficult to say. Sometimes these things get better but sometimes they progress and get worse. It is possible that a spine specialist could do some injections of steroid around the areas of impingement and give you some relief. It is sad that physiotherapy did not help you, that is often where people get some relief. You could try a chiropractor or acupuncture and see if they could give you some relief. If not then pain medications may be your best bet.
I wish you the best,
Dr. Robinson
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
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