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Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Spine Disease
Question: can someone interpret online some MRI images of my back- need to know if I have a herniated disc and what your opinion is
Brief Answer:
There is disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1 level.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Thanks for writing to HCM
I have thoroughly gone through your findings in detail.
It is difficult to interpret the findings from limited images and without annotations.Complete sequences are also not available.
However ,it can be appreciated that there is posterior disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1 level which in causing impingement over thecal sac and there is also mild narrowing of left lateral neural foramen.
There are also schmorl's nodes in L3 vertebra.It is also benign finding.
You have mild degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine.It is bit early in your case.
Degenerative changes occurs in spine due to aging and development of weakness in annulus fibrosis.
Majority of the cases of degenerative spine disease are benefited by physiotherapy.So,physiotherpay should be tried first.It causes strengthening of Para spinal muscles and it prevents further changes.
Surgery should be the last option.
There are also medicines like capsule pregabalin available for pain relief.
Treatment can be planned after consultation with neurosurgeon.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
There is disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1 level.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Thanks for writing to HCM
I have thoroughly gone through your findings in detail.
It is difficult to interpret the findings from limited images and without annotations.Complete sequences are also not available.
However ,it can be appreciated that there is posterior disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1 level which in causing impingement over thecal sac and there is also mild narrowing of left lateral neural foramen.
There are also schmorl's nodes in L3 vertebra.It is also benign finding.
You have mild degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine.It is bit early in your case.
Degenerative changes occurs in spine due to aging and development of weakness in annulus fibrosis.
Majority of the cases of degenerative spine disease are benefited by physiotherapy.So,physiotherpay should be tried first.It causes strengthening of Para spinal muscles and it prevents further changes.
Surgery should be the last option.
There are also medicines like capsule pregabalin available for pain relief.
Treatment can be planned after consultation with neurosurgeon.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your reply. I injured my back in Sept and have done 3 rounds of steroid injections and PT and it starts to improve so they push harder and then it hurts like crazy again. I get occossional nerve pain in my right left and when I sit for long periods my lower back gets very painful and it's hard to even finish my day at work. Does the images show my bulges hitting the nerve and do you think surgery would be the right decision or should I keep trying other methods? THank you again!
Brief Answer:
Please find detail answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Thanks for writing back
I think your case can be managed by physiotherapy.
Neural foramen block can also be given.Steroid can be infected in the foramen under C-arm guidance.
There is no compression over nerve roots.There is only narrowing of neural foramen.
You should modify your daily activities.You should avoid lifting heavy objects and don't lean forward abruptly.
Avoid standing for prolong period.Try to stand on one leg while standing position,means keep another leg in slightly folded position while standing.You can change legs for weight bearing alternately.
Surgery should be the last option.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Please find detail answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Thanks for writing back
I think your case can be managed by physiotherapy.
Neural foramen block can also be given.Steroid can be infected in the foramen under C-arm guidance.
There is no compression over nerve roots.There is only narrowing of neural foramen.
You should modify your daily activities.You should avoid lifting heavy objects and don't lean forward abruptly.
Avoid standing for prolong period.Try to stand on one leg while standing position,means keep another leg in slightly folded position while standing.You can change legs for weight bearing alternately.
Surgery should be the last option.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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