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Does Canal Stenosis Improve On Its Own?

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Posted on Mon, 16 Nov 2015
Question: Can you review this and see if there are any disc prolapses.
thanks... can lateral stenosis go away on it s own
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Three level disc prolapse L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

Could you please mention the canal diameters mentored in your MRI Report ?

You apiary have multiple level disc prolapse with degenerative discs at L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1.

The disc prolapse regions are yet not severe enough to compress the nerves according to the films.

There is the thecal sack indentation die to the disc prolapses. Most prominent disc prolapse is that at L4-L5.

You also need to get a flexion and extension Xray of your lumbosacral spine to look for in St billi. If there is no instability then you can get an Epidural steroid injection or Discectomy surgery if you have severe symptoms of sciatica. If there is instability you can get a discectomy surgery with stabilisation with screws.

Canal stenosis will get worse with time and not better. It needs intervention.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (10 hours later)
thank you..on my scan is says that the central canal dimensions appear preserved.

I went to my surgeon the other day and he mentioned he wanted to do a surgery called Laminotmy where he says the l4l5 disc are most compressing. He also said he would work on the l3l4 disc also.
He mentioned I had lateral recess stenosis..he said the only risk are that there are annual tears..a posterior annular tear is noted a l4l5 and l5S1.. it states central canal dimensions appear preserved.

Is it dangerous to have this surgery with annular tears..i am nervous..
what are the risks..normal alignment so I do not think there is any instability..have you seen a big difference between this scan and the last scan

what is thecal sac indentication? Also have you managed to look at my neck scan...what would if the canal stenosis got worse..could the operation make me worse..i am very worried about this.. I have a had a steroid injection that did not work
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No neck films. Needs laminectomy and discectomy

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

The disc is made of two parts. An outer ring if fibrous tissue called Annulus fibrosus and a central circular region of jelly like fluid called Nucleus pulposus.

Annular tear inducers that the disc has worn out and the Annulus has torn, causing the central jelly like material to push through this tear and compress the nerves.

You seem to be having more nerve compression on the left side dude to the pushing of the Nucleus pulposus against the torn Annulus.

The all sach indentation is just the mild compression of the sacred containing your nerves, called the Theca.

Your neck films are not attached in your Reports.

Laminotomy would be a wise option considering normal canal diameters for now but there is a torn annulus and this needs discectomy and later on if the canal gets narrower, it may need further decompression.

If the canal diameters get shorter later on then it may necessitate Laminectomy or removal of entire lamina and may require stabisation if the discs get further degenerated. The operation won't make it worse but you may need future surgeries if this is not adequately treated. I would go for laminectomy and discectomy.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (3 hours later)
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No neck scans yet

Detailed Answer:
These are the same scans which I have seen. No neck scans yet.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (2 hours later)
here are the neck scan.. did you notice a difference in the both scans in the back..one taken in July...also is this stenosis that I am suffering on.. I have dropped foot or anything like this... what will happen if I leave this..

can you have a look at my neck scan thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Mild cord compression

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

I did review your neck scans. There is mild cord compression at C4-C5 region. You could be having weakness, tingling and numbness in the right arm or hand. This could progress if not treated. I advise a discectomy and posterior decompression to be done here as well. Drop foot cannot be made out from an MRI per se but a proper Clinical examination will find out.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (16 minutes later)
when you mention laminectomy and discectomy what do you mean for the back..i am a little confused..can you explain these surgeries.. is this a disectomy
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Removal of Bone and disc

Detailed Answer:
Laminectomy and discectomy means Removal of Bone posteriorly and also Disc respectively. Also of the is abt instability, fixation of screws will be done.. This shall give slave for the cord to exist without indentation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (23 minutes later)
what does identation mean..also ca n laminectomy and discectomy be donr together
what is the prognosis of this surgery if it is not XXXXXXX .not such servere compression just a lot on th legs.. cramping, painin the middle of the legs and the back of the thights..stiffness
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Pressure on the sacred containing nerves.

Detailed Answer:
Thecal Indentation means pressing into the sacred containing the verbs. It is not serious. It only indicates that the disc is pressing into the savings and if further slipping of the disc occurs, it could compress the nerves in the sac as well.

The camping pain is due to nerve root compression and this needs to be decompressed by a laminectomy.

Every surgery has its risks. In this case risk of nerve damage, infection of the sacred containing the nerves called Meningitis, wound complications etc.

Prognosis is better if decompression and fixation surgery is done so that further prolapse won't take place and also more space for the nerves to 'breathe'.

It is best to discuss with your Surgeon as he has examined you and knows the power of each muscle in your limbs which is important to plan the surgery. Also flexion extension xrays are important to note any instability.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (9 hours later)
what are the chances of nerve damage if I do not have surgery...

what happens if I delay it..

my surgeon is an excellent surgeon and has stated that I have a 85% chance of this working (lamintomy).. he mentioned the risks were the annular tears could be the cause of pain (could you give me symtoms of annular tears pain)..thanks and paralysys

do you think my neck scan is serious..
thanks so much for all your help
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Answers mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

If you delay the surgery, your symptoms could get worse and there could be increased risk of paralysis, though not soon.

Laminotomy involves making a key hole in the lamina bone and removing the contents of the disc. There is no objection to this kind of surgery but there can be some leftovers of the diseased annulus or nucleus pulposus of the disc which can later herniated and cause pain again. On the other hand, a laminectomy involved removing of the lamina bone which gives a good field of working space to remove all of the diseased annulus and nucleus pulposus so no chance of disc slip again. Annulus tears will cause pain in the back that can radiate to the limbs, gets worse in bending forward and lifting weights or coughing.

Neck scan shows mild cord compression. If you do not have weakness, tingling or numbness in your hands then not to worry, but if you do, this requires decompression surgery as well.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Aashish Raghu

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 5482 Questions

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Does Canal Stenosis Improve On Its Own?

Brief Answer: Three level disc prolapse L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 Detailed Answer: Hi there. Welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for the query. Could you please mention the canal diameters mentored in your MRI Report ? You apiary have multiple level disc prolapse with degenerative discs at L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1. The disc prolapse regions are yet not severe enough to compress the nerves according to the films. There is the thecal sack indentation die to the disc prolapses. Most prominent disc prolapse is that at L4-L5. You also need to get a flexion and extension Xray of your lumbosacral spine to look for in St billi. If there is no instability then you can get an Epidural steroid injection or Discectomy surgery if you have severe symptoms of sciatica. If there is instability you can get a discectomy surgery with stabilisation with screws. Canal stenosis will get worse with time and not better. It needs intervention. I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries. Regards, Dr. Aashish Raghu