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What Do These Following MRI Findings Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 13 Dec 2016

Question: Hello Sir / Madam, am XXXXXXX XXXXXXX I need some details for my Dad, his age is 62, he is having following problems, Psychiatric issue & Epilepsy. For these problems he is taking some tablets and for the past one year he is having another problem also, he is not feeling his bottom leg (finger) tingling sensation and sometimes numbness, we have consulted with local doctors and taken some scan and tests and they gave some medicines as of now, but yesterday when consulting with the same doctor he said this problem is due to the L4 L5 lumbar spine compression and now doctors advised for an surgery in the spine area to fix some clamps and screws for relief. I have some fear that if any surgery done now that leads to disability or some other issues for my dad. I will send you some of the reports to you now. please check and advise me whether we can avoid this surgery

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Medical treatment and physiotherapy should be tried first.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.

I have noted the clinical details and MRI reports of your father. As per the reports, there is compression of nerves in the lower back due to bulging of discs. This is known to cause back pain, leg pain, tingling and numbness of legs/feet/toes.

In the initial phase, medical therapy with gabapentin and prothiaden should be given. Physiotherapy with IFT/ultrasound is also useful. In about 50-60% of people, improvement occurs within one month of treatment.

In people who do not recover, there are two options- epidural injections (given in lower back) and surgery. This decision can be taken after one month of medical treatment and physiotherapy, if no benefit is seen.

So, in summary, surgery is not an emergency. He can first try medical treatment and physiotherapy.

I sincerely hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (9 minutes later)

Dear Sir,

Thanks a lot for your brief advise, please suggest me any of the doctors to consult here in XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Dr XXXXXXX Kumar is a good neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

At XXXXXXX you could consult Dr XXXXXXX Kumar at XXXXXXX Hospital, who is a good neurologist.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar