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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?
Question: I had a wooden chair (high like a director's tv chair) break and I fell.
I had an MRI. What does L4-L5 disc bulge with superimposed central disc protrusion and sever spinal canal stenosis with compression of the thecal sac and mild bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing mean? I can hardly walk and have severe pain in my right leg - buttock to ankle. electric shock, muscle gives out and the foot is feeling pins and needles
I had an MRI. What does L4-L5 disc bulge with superimposed central disc protrusion and sever spinal canal stenosis with compression of the thecal sac and mild bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing mean? I can hardly walk and have severe pain in my right leg - buttock to ankle. electric shock, muscle gives out and the foot is feeling pins and needles
Brief Answer:
As follows...
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The spine is composed of the bony vertebrae and the cartilage discs between the vertebral bodies which are meant to cushion blows. In the spinal canal formed by the vertebrae traverses the spinal cord and the nerves which exist in pairs at every level between the vertebrae through holes called the foramina.
So the report speaks of the disc between the 4th and 5th vertebrae, bulging in the spinal canal. That leads to narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the thecal sac containing the nerve bundle. In addition as narrows the foramina on both sides it compresses the nerve roots as well, apparently from your symptoms the right nerve root is more severely compressed causing your symptoms.
In terms of management initially it is tried with pain killers and physical therapy. The hope is that some of the compression is also due to local swelling, inflammation, and as the lumbar muscles are strengthened and better support the spine, inflammation will subside and there will be improvement.
If that is not enough local shots of corticosteroids and analgesics may be tried. If symptoms persist then surgery to relieve compression is tried.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
As follows...
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The spine is composed of the bony vertebrae and the cartilage discs between the vertebral bodies which are meant to cushion blows. In the spinal canal formed by the vertebrae traverses the spinal cord and the nerves which exist in pairs at every level between the vertebrae through holes called the foramina.
So the report speaks of the disc between the 4th and 5th vertebrae, bulging in the spinal canal. That leads to narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the thecal sac containing the nerve bundle. In addition as narrows the foramina on both sides it compresses the nerve roots as well, apparently from your symptoms the right nerve root is more severely compressed causing your symptoms.
In terms of management initially it is tried with pain killers and physical therapy. The hope is that some of the compression is also due to local swelling, inflammation, and as the lumbar muscles are strengthened and better support the spine, inflammation will subside and there will be improvement.
If that is not enough local shots of corticosteroids and analgesics may be tried. If symptoms persist then surgery to relieve compression is tried.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you for your answer. I did have an mri three years ago and I did not have the bulging disc, but I did have mild spinal stenosis, but it was minimal. Can severe spinal stenosis happen that fast?
I've been in physical therapy but the pain is still there. I see a spine specialist on 5/31. I'm hoping they can give me a shot, which I had three years ago and it was wonderful relief for my back/hip pain then. This pain is different, more in my buttock to my top of foot. Electrical shock, then back of leg cramps and gives out and top of foot has pins and needles. I don't want to take pain meds due to how addictive they are.
Any suggestions for exercise? I'm told to try and walk, my concern is if walking is making it worse or better.
I've been in physical therapy but the pain is still there. I see a spine specialist on 5/31. I'm hoping they can give me a shot, which I had three years ago and it was wonderful relief for my back/hip pain then. This pain is different, more in my buttock to my top of foot. Electrical shock, then back of leg cramps and gives out and top of foot has pins and needles. I don't want to take pain meds due to how addictive they are.
Any suggestions for exercise? I'm told to try and walk, my concern is if walking is making it worse or better.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Spinal stenosis is a gradual process over many years usually. However it can also be accelerated by trauma to the spine. So in yours case it is probably a combination of 3 years going by, accelerated in addition by the fall from that high chair.
By pain meds I didn't mean opioids which are addictive, but over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen which causes no addiction. However over time that can cause risks as well.
As for exercise the most popular exercises are the XXXXXXX set of exercises (just google it) but you physical therapist should also teach you some exercises.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Spinal stenosis is a gradual process over many years usually. However it can also be accelerated by trauma to the spine. So in yours case it is probably a combination of 3 years going by, accelerated in addition by the fall from that high chair.
By pain meds I didn't mean opioids which are addictive, but over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen which causes no addiction. However over time that can cause risks as well.
As for exercise the most popular exercises are the XXXXXXX set of exercises (just google it) but you physical therapist should also teach you some exercises.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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