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What Do These MRI Findings Indicate?
Question: Hi Dr. XXXX
I am 52 year old man I have a lower back pain since four years, I did an MRI and the results are as below.
Could you please show how serious the case is and what action I need to tack and do you recommend a surgery or not.
Thanks beforehand,
XXXXXXX XXXX
XXXX
MRI of the thoraco-lumber spine
Important Findings:
- Loss of the normal thoracolumbar curvatures suggesting paravertebral muscle spasm.
- DV6/7 posterior and left posterolateral disc protrusion is noted indenting the thecal sac and mildly encroaching upon the left exit foramen.
- Mild spondylotic changes are seen with Partial desiccation of the examined discs and lower lumber facet osteoarthropathy as well as areas of thickened ligamentum flava.
- Overview of the cervical spine dhowed CV5/6 and CV6/7 posterior disc bulges with bilateral foraminal compromise.
Impression:
DV6/7 left posterolateral disc protrusion compromising the left exit foremen.
I am 52 year old man I have a lower back pain since four years, I did an MRI and the results are as below.
Could you please show how serious the case is and what action I need to tack and do you recommend a surgery or not.
Thanks beforehand,
XXXXXXX XXXX
XXXX
MRI of the thoraco-lumber spine
Important Findings:
- Loss of the normal thoracolumbar curvatures suggesting paravertebral muscle spasm.
- DV6/7 posterior and left posterolateral disc protrusion is noted indenting the thecal sac and mildly encroaching upon the left exit foramen.
- Mild spondylotic changes are seen with Partial desiccation of the examined discs and lower lumber facet osteoarthropathy as well as areas of thickened ligamentum flava.
- Overview of the cervical spine dhowed CV5/6 and CV6/7 posterior disc bulges with bilateral foraminal compromise.
Impression:
DV6/7 left posterolateral disc protrusion compromising the left exit foremen.
Brief Answer:
Spondylottic changes in cervical and lumbar spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You are suffering from PIVD at lumbar and cervical region. Due to this Disc bulge pressure occurs on nerve roots & radiation of pain and numbness occurs in that dermatotome. Right now you are having only minor disc bulge and mild foraminal stenosis causing just a mild compression of the nerve roots. Physiotherapy like intermittent lumbar/cervical traction , back and cervical exercise reduces pressure of disc bulge for some time & gives relief.
Surgery is not immediately needed. Regular exercises can retard the further progression of the problem and delay the surgery by a decade.
The following measures will help with the pain
• Lie on a hard bed.
• Anti -inflammatory drugs like Tablet Motrin 1 tablet as and when required ( dont repeat a dose before 6 hours) with food. Do get oral muscle relaxants prescribed from your orthopedician for a prolonged relief.
• Avoid forward bending.
• Correct your posture while sitting
• Avoid prolonged sitting
• Avoid strenuous activity & lifting heavy weights.
• Apply diclofenac gel on the affected area. Warm compresses will also help.
Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful in controlling the neuropathic pain.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX
Spondylottic changes in cervical and lumbar spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You are suffering from PIVD at lumbar and cervical region. Due to this Disc bulge pressure occurs on nerve roots & radiation of pain and numbness occurs in that dermatotome. Right now you are having only minor disc bulge and mild foraminal stenosis causing just a mild compression of the nerve roots. Physiotherapy like intermittent lumbar/cervical traction , back and cervical exercise reduces pressure of disc bulge for some time & gives relief.
Surgery is not immediately needed. Regular exercises can retard the further progression of the problem and delay the surgery by a decade.
The following measures will help with the pain
• Lie on a hard bed.
• Anti -inflammatory drugs like Tablet Motrin 1 tablet as and when required ( dont repeat a dose before 6 hours) with food. Do get oral muscle relaxants prescribed from your orthopedician for a prolonged relief.
• Avoid forward bending.
• Correct your posture while sitting
• Avoid prolonged sitting
• Avoid strenuous activity & lifting heavy weights.
• Apply diclofenac gel on the affected area. Warm compresses will also help.
Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful in controlling the neuropathic pain.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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