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What Does My Scan Report Indicate?
Question: you have my details. i have forwarded you my scans already
Brief Answer:
Disc prolapse.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the attached images. There is a disc bulge at the level of L4-L5 and L5-S1. These are all mild degenerative changes of the spine that are age related.
There is mild nerve root compression at the level of L4-L5 that can cause shooting pains along the legs.
Medicines are the first line treatment along with physiotherapy. If the patient responds well with medicines then physiotherapy helps in preventing further progression of the problem. Surgery is kept as a last resort to improve the quality of life of the patient.
The main treatment of such problem is bed rest along with pain killers and muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants can help with your symptoms if used in appropriate dosage in combination with a potent analgesic. You can get these prescribed from your orthopedician.
Local analgesic gels and hot fomentation may provide a short term relief. You can use analgesic gels like Volini gel. Exercise is not advisable in the times of acute pain.
Using an LS contour belt of appropriate size might be helpful in providing support to back muscles.
Physiotherapy also plays a major role in treating such conditions. Epidural steroid injections have been used if oral pain killers are not very effective. Discuss with your orthopedician and an appropriate treatment can be planned depending on the response to medical drugs.
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 http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Disc prolapse.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I have seen the attached images. There is a disc bulge at the level of L4-L5 and L5-S1. These are all mild degenerative changes of the spine that are age related.
There is mild nerve root compression at the level of L4-L5 that can cause shooting pains along the legs.
Medicines are the first line treatment along with physiotherapy. If the patient responds well with medicines then physiotherapy helps in preventing further progression of the problem. Surgery is kept as a last resort to improve the quality of life of the patient.
The main treatment of such problem is bed rest along with pain killers and muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants can help with your symptoms if used in appropriate dosage in combination with a potent analgesic. You can get these prescribed from your orthopedician.
Local analgesic gels and hot fomentation may provide a short term relief. You can use analgesic gels like Volini gel. Exercise is not advisable in the times of acute pain.
Using an LS contour belt of appropriate size might be helpful in providing support to back muscles.
Physiotherapy also plays a major role in treating such conditions. Epidural steroid injections have been used if oral pain killers are not very effective. Discuss with your orthopedician and an appropriate treatment can be planned depending on the response to medical drugs.
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 http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much for your prompt reply.. i would be most grateful if you could review my neck scan..cervical scan..attached. There may be a brain scan.. all is ok with this..i have an excellent surgeon..i was going to be having a operation on tuesday but this has been posponed..my leg symtoms improved.. do you think in that scan that there is spinal canal stenosis or is the stenosis cased by the protrusion.. also would you be concerned about the neck scan.. do i need to see a neurosurgeon..thanks XXXXXXX
i get pins and needles in both feet..leg pain has improved on right side..the neck gives me trouble from time to time.. thanks XXXXXXX
i get pins and needles in both feet..leg pain has improved on right side..the neck gives me trouble from time to time.. thanks XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Surgery not needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The cervical scan does not show any substantial nerve root compression. Mild disc protrusion does not need a surgical treatment. This can improve with muscle relaxants, regular physiotherapy and some lifestyle modifications.
For pins and needles sensation you can start with methylcobalamin supplements. These are likely to help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Surgery not needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The cervical scan does not show any substantial nerve root compression. Mild disc protrusion does not need a surgical treatment. This can improve with muscle relaxants, regular physiotherapy and some lifestyle modifications.
For pins and needles sensation you can start with methylcobalamin supplements. These are likely to help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
do you think there is spondolytis in the neck and do you think there is a need to see a neurosurgeon.. the brain scan is fine..also do you think that the pins and needles in the left foot could be something to do with the disc bulges in the lower spine..is there a need for me to get an exray of the whole spine.. thanks a million. XXXXXXX
i find your answer very helpful.. do you think that surgery is needed for the lower back.. are the diameters narrow around the spinal canal..
i find your answer very helpful.. do you think that surgery is needed for the lower back.. are the diameters narrow around the spinal canal..
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Yes. There is spondylosis in the neck. Consulting a neurosurgeon will help.
The pins and needles in the leg are due to disc bulge in lower lumbar spine. X-ray will not give any additional information other than the MRI scan. Surgery is not immediately needed. You can start with medicines and see if the symptoms improve. The diameters are not so small so as to cause a disability.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Yes. There is spondylosis in the neck. Consulting a neurosurgeon will help.
The pins and needles in the leg are due to disc bulge in lower lumbar spine. X-ray will not give any additional information other than the MRI scan. Surgery is not immediately needed. You can start with medicines and see if the symptoms improve. The diameters are not so small so as to cause a disability.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
will a full mri be necessary..for the full spinel. do you think this neck issue wil cause me problems in the future..is spondolitis only level 5 and 6 (C56).. I really do not want operation in the neck..surely microdis. is only for the leg pain.. this has improved hughly.. thirteen weeks ago.. I could hardly work.. have back pain, don t think microdisect will help here.. is there stenosis?
my leg pain is not so bad .. back area and upwards in the spine is bad..is the disc level L5S1 bad..thanksXXXX
my leg pain is not so bad .. back area and upwards in the spine is bad..is the disc level L5S1 bad..thanksXXXX
Brief Answer:
No stenosis.
Detailed Answer:
The scan of whole spine is not needed since you have problem only in the lower back and neck. If you continue with physiotherapy exercises regularly then the progression of disc prolapse will be very slow and the surgery can be avoided.
The main problem is at C5-C6 only. Rest of the areas show minor changes.
No stenosis or nerve root compression is there. Since your back pain has improved the neck pain is also likely to improve with treatment. Please do not worry.
Regards.
No stenosis.
Detailed Answer:
The scan of whole spine is not needed since you have problem only in the lower back and neck. If you continue with physiotherapy exercises regularly then the progression of disc prolapse will be very slow and the surgery can be avoided.
The main problem is at C5-C6 only. Rest of the areas show minor changes.
No stenosis or nerve root compression is there. Since your back pain has improved the neck pain is also likely to improve with treatment. Please do not worry.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks..do you mean there is no stenosis in the l4l5 area.. my surgeon said there was no need for a lamanectomy.. he will only to the microdisectomy if it helps me.i have had this disc prolapse for two and a half years.it can be difficlut to deal with..a microdisectomy would not help the discy feeling in the back.. do you think... would you have any idea what could be causing the pins and needles in the left foot.. is this the l4 l5 disc. also is the neck bulge big or small..sorry about all these questions..i have a wonderful physiotherapist..so i do not want to go down the road of surgery if necessary.. thanks
meant to ask is the l5s1 disc small.. thanks
have i spinal cord compression?
is the L4L5 disc area - significant cord compression
is this dangerous
I feel bad that i did not take surgery but my leg pain was improving.. i had an epidural last feb.. it helped for a while.. how about a nerve root injection.. do you think this would help? thanks so much
meant to ask is the l5s1 disc small.. thanks
have i spinal cord compression?
is the L4L5 disc area - significant cord compression
is this dangerous
I feel bad that i did not take surgery but my leg pain was improving.. i had an epidural last feb.. it helped for a while.. how about a nerve root injection.. do you think this would help? thanks so much
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
I mean no stenosis in cervical area. There is a mild nerve root compression and spinal cord compression at L4-L5. Microdiscectomy should help you.
The pins and needles in the foot is due to nerve compression at the level of L4-L5. The bulge at L5-S1 is a small one.
The neck bulge is small and can be managed with physiotherapy.
The nerve root injections will help you feel symptomatically better but it will not revert your problem. You will feel the same again after 5-6 weeks.
You can go for the minor procedure in the lumbar spine.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
I mean no stenosis in cervical area. There is a mild nerve root compression and spinal cord compression at L4-L5. Microdiscectomy should help you.
The pins and needles in the foot is due to nerve compression at the level of L4-L5. The bulge at L5-S1 is a small one.
The neck bulge is small and can be managed with physiotherapy.
The nerve root injections will help you feel symptomatically better but it will not revert your problem. You will feel the same again after 5-6 weeks.
You can go for the minor procedure in the lumbar spine.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thanks.. just wondering if the minor procedure in the lumbar spine is worth it..what i mean is there is minor leg pain...right leg..when i sit it get's disky.. do you think that i will benefit from surgery.. microdis. .. when i went for my preassessment the anaesis. told me i could come out worse..i got such a fright.. how can i avoid my neck getting worse... as i said i have a wonderful physiotherapist..the mild nerve root compression at l4l5 is obviously impinging on the cord and causing pain in my thoraic area.. do you think a lamiinectomy is better.. i am dealing with a spinal surgeon who is excellent to me..he did not say surgery was urgent
i also meant to ask do you think that surgery is successful in your opinion..will it help with the spinal cord compression.. this is obviously effecting the neck.. also why is it having an effect on my left foot (pins and needles).. thanks.. i have read that microdis. only really helps the leg..i would hate to take this surgery and end up worse but it is uncomfortable around the lower back area.. disky feeling..the symptoms were in the right leg for ten weeks (sciatica.only when walking or standing)..now this has all stopped and the pain has gone in the lower and upper back. what else could my surgeon do to help this.. i find you excellent..i do not want to a surgery that leads to another surgery.. my physio does not thnk i should go for surgery but my surgeon does not think i am going to get away with it..he is very very good..but wants me to be happy with my decision.. what do you think. i have read so much about failed back surgery.. thanks XXXXXXX
i ? meant to ask do you think that the disc L4L5 is causing pain to the upper back and possibly agrivating the neck? also do you think it is necessary to scan the neck again? last scan was in February 2014.. do MRI 's change much? thanks.. you are excellent
i also meant to ask do you think that surgery is successful in your opinion..will it help with the spinal cord compression.. this is obviously effecting the neck.. also why is it having an effect on my left foot (pins and needles).. thanks.. i have read that microdis. only really helps the leg..i would hate to take this surgery and end up worse but it is uncomfortable around the lower back area.. disky feeling..the symptoms were in the right leg for ten weeks (sciatica.only when walking or standing)..now this has all stopped and the pain has gone in the lower and upper back. what else could my surgeon do to help this.. i find you excellent..i do not want to a surgery that leads to another surgery.. my physio does not thnk i should go for surgery but my surgeon does not think i am going to get away with it..he is very very good..but wants me to be happy with my decision.. what do you think. i have read so much about failed back surgery.. thanks XXXXXXX
i ? meant to ask do you think that the disc L4L5 is causing pain to the upper back and possibly agrivating the neck? also do you think it is necessary to scan the neck again? last scan was in February 2014.. do MRI 's change much? thanks.. you are excellent
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
If your symptoms have improved after the treatment then you can avoid the surgery. The surgery will remove the protruding disc but will not stop the further progression of the problem. Relapse is common. If you feel that you are symptomatically better then surgery is not an emergency. Laminectomy is not needed right now. The minor bulge can be taken care of with discectomy.
You will have to continue with all the physiotherapy sessions even after the surgery. If you are relieved of the pain then you can continue with the physiotherapy and delay the surgery till the symptoms get worse.
These are all age related degenerative changes of the spine and will progress again even after the surgery. So, in my opinion you should avoid the surgery as long as you can.
The disc in L4-L5 is not causing the pain in the upper back or neck. This is likely to be a muscular pain that will improve with back strengthening exercises.
Yes. MRI shows a considerable change in 6 months. You can get a repeat neck MRI done to see the change.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
If your symptoms have improved after the treatment then you can avoid the surgery. The surgery will remove the protruding disc but will not stop the further progression of the problem. Relapse is common. If you feel that you are symptomatically better then surgery is not an emergency. Laminectomy is not needed right now. The minor bulge can be taken care of with discectomy.
You will have to continue with all the physiotherapy sessions even after the surgery. If you are relieved of the pain then you can continue with the physiotherapy and delay the surgery till the symptoms get worse.
These are all age related degenerative changes of the spine and will progress again even after the surgery. So, in my opinion you should avoid the surgery as long as you can.
The disc in L4-L5 is not causing the pain in the upper back or neck. This is likely to be a muscular pain that will improve with back strengthening exercises.
Yes. MRI shows a considerable change in 6 months. You can get a repeat neck MRI done to see the change.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
you are great..this is what i think as well..i read that disc extrusions can go away by themselves..do you think early surgery could help me with the l4l5 disc..why is the disc causing pins and needles in the left foot.. it says it is right sided.. i am very inquisitive and like to know everything..i read nerve blocks are good .. do you think i would benefit from this.. is the bulge very bad..is it likely to get worse?
i would be terrified of getting stenosis.old people get this.. i love mountain walking and want to get back into this..is it worth getting a mri of my thoratic spine?
i love mountain walking.. i want to get back to this.. there are alot of pins and needles.. is this ok.will i damage anything.no numbness as yet.my physio said that there are very few neurological signs..surgery could make it worse.have you seen ths in your experience... thanks you are excellent.. i am sure you have seen much worse back problems than mine.. Have you..? i am glad you are saying that it is only a mnor bulge
i would be terrified of getting stenosis.old people get this.. i love mountain walking and want to get back into this..is it worth getting a mri of my thoratic spine?
i love mountain walking.. i want to get back to this.. there are alot of pins and needles.. is this ok.will i damage anything.no numbness as yet.my physio said that there are very few neurological signs..surgery could make it worse.have you seen ths in your experience... thanks you are excellent.. i am sure you have seen much worse back problems than mine.. Have you..? i am glad you are saying that it is only a mnor bulge
Brief Answer:
Exercise can tone up muscles and reduce protrusion
Detailed Answer:
Yes. The disc extrusions can improve with time and regular exercise. Early surgery can help the pins and needles to some extent. The nerve blocks will only give a symptomatic relief. The problem will re appear after the effect of medicine is gone.
Continue with your active lifestyle and the problem will not progress much.
MRI thoracic spine will help in relieving your anxiety regarding the pain in upper back.
Yes. Surgery can make the mild symptoms worse in some cases. These are mild symptoms that can be taken care of with methylcobalamin and gabapentin.
Yours is just a minor issue. Believe me there are people who have been debilitated and are bed ridden due to this. You are lucky to have it detected early.
Best wishes.
Exercise can tone up muscles and reduce protrusion
Detailed Answer:
Yes. The disc extrusions can improve with time and regular exercise. Early surgery can help the pins and needles to some extent. The nerve blocks will only give a symptomatic relief. The problem will re appear after the effect of medicine is gone.
Continue with your active lifestyle and the problem will not progress much.
MRI thoracic spine will help in relieving your anxiety regarding the pain in upper back.
Yes. Surgery can make the mild symptoms worse in some cases. These are mild symptoms that can be taken care of with methylcobalamin and gabapentin.
Yours is just a minor issue. Believe me there are people who have been debilitated and are bed ridden due to this. You are lucky to have it detected early.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you so much..i get physiotherapy every week.. expensive but I think it is worth avoiding surgery if I can.myi biggest concern is progression..i am sure these are normal scans.. I do think surgery should be a last resort and I was so happy that the anaestis. put me off... I had an epidural last feb.. I suddenly then got neck pain ..I think anaes. can have side effects.i have not had many f operations but one at six where I nearly bled to death and had to have a blood transfusion..i fear all of this.. I felt the anaesist. thought it was not a good idea to have surgery..thanks for all your support.. I hope I can continue to write to you.you are very reassuring..i fear stenosis..but you did mention the diameters are small
Brief Answer:
Stenosis is a remote possibility right now.
Detailed Answer:
You can keep me updated regarding your progress. It is better to delay the surgery and try to improve with physiotherapy. A repeat MRI scan will help in assessing your progress.
Regards.
Stenosis is a remote possibility right now.
Detailed Answer:
You can keep me updated regarding your progress. It is better to delay the surgery and try to improve with physiotherapy. A repeat MRI scan will help in assessing your progress.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
do you mean unlikely.?. I hope so..thanks so much..i just hope the bulge is not narrowing the space too much... I would like to deal with you in future..thanks so much
meant to ask.. is there kyphosis in the neck.. and also any suggestions on the left side foot pins and needles.. where could they be coming from..? pain has now gone to the left leg..?
meant to ask.. is there kyphosis in the neck.. and also any suggestions on the left side foot pins and needles.. where could they be coming from..? pain has now gone to the left leg..?
Brief Answer:
The spine is not much affected.
Detailed Answer:
Yes. The bulge is not narrowing the space too much. It is manageable and further progression can be retarded.
The kyphosis in the neck is postural. The pain and pins and needles in left leg are due to a slight impingement of the disc even if there is no compression.
Taking muscle relaxants will help.
Regards.
The spine is not much affected.
Detailed Answer:
Yes. The bulge is not narrowing the space too much. It is manageable and further progression can be retarded.
The kyphosis in the neck is postural. The pain and pins and needles in left leg are due to a slight impingement of the disc even if there is no compression.
Taking muscle relaxants will help.
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
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