HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Does This MRI Report Mean?

I just received my MRI results and am having difficulty understanding them: here goes L4-5 grade 1 anterolisthesis without central stenosis L1-2 right paramedian disc pertrusion causing mild flattening of the thecal sac L5-s1 disc bulge abutting the right S1 nerve root L2-3 mild enlargement of the ligamrntum flavum
Fri, 22 Apr 2016
Report Abuse
Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist 's  Response
hi,

thank you for providing the brief information of the report

As you have mentioned the report, the report has to be coordinated with the clinical symptoms. As the MRI report can only show what is there inside the body, but cannot act as a diagnosis. It can only help in doing diagnosis.

Since you mentioned the report, i do not see major issue with L1-L2 & L2-L3 as it is just an degenerative change of the spine which is common in most of the MRI.

For L4-L5, there is Grade 1 anteriolisthesis , this means that the vertebral body is move little further. This occurs due to fracture at the facet joints which connects the two vertebrae, this is not a major thing to worry and can be helped by physical therapy.

Also, for L5-S1, you have a disc bulge, a disc is a soft tissue placed in between the two vertebrae to act as a shock absorber. This disc is touching the nerve root of S1 and may lead to possible clinical symptoms.

If you had any back ache, morning stiffness of spine and radiating pain, the surgeon must have recommended to undergo the MRI scan.

As the next line of action is to perform physical therapy. For pain, the surgeon will provide pain killers. Physical therapy plays a key role in rehabilitation of the spine and research supports this as well, you can discuss with your surgeon and even see on net also,.

In my clinical practice with the combination of medicine and physical therapy patients recover with 99% of functional ability.

Regards
Jay Indravadan Patel
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Does This MRI Report Mean?

hi, thank you for providing the brief information of the report As you have mentioned the report, the report has to be coordinated with the clinical symptoms. As the MRI report can only show what is there inside the body, but cannot act as a diagnosis. It can only help in doing diagnosis. Since you mentioned the report, i do not see major issue with L1-L2 & L2-L3 as it is just an degenerative change of the spine which is common in most of the MRI. For L4-L5, there is Grade 1 anteriolisthesis , this means that the vertebral body is move little further. This occurs due to fracture at the facet joints which connects the two vertebrae, this is not a major thing to worry and can be helped by physical therapy. Also, for L5-S1, you have a disc bulge, a disc is a soft tissue placed in between the two vertebrae to act as a shock absorber. This disc is touching the nerve root of S1 and may lead to possible clinical symptoms. If you had any back ache, morning stiffness of spine and radiating pain, the surgeon must have recommended to undergo the MRI scan. As the next line of action is to perform physical therapy. For pain, the surgeon will provide pain killers. Physical therapy plays a key role in rehabilitation of the spine and research supports this as well, you can discuss with your surgeon and even see on net also,. In my clinical practice with the combination of medicine and physical therapy patients recover with 99% of functional ability. Regards Jay Indravadan Patel