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What Does An MRI Report Showing Disc Protrusion Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 25 Jun 2015
Question: What is a 1mm broad-based left paracentral - posterolateral protrusion at the L1-L2 level?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Herniated disc

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Health Care Magic, Thanks for writing to us,

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way.

From your report I gather that this must be your MRI report I suppose you would have got it done after a check-up for some pain or numbness in your legs.

I will now explain to you what does this sentence in report means, but for that I will have to explain to you how our spine is formed.

You must be knowing our spine is formed of vertebra, but as they are bones and bones can get damages when rubbed together when we move or they can be crushed under pressure when we jump from 3-4 feet height or lift a heavy object.

So nature had places a small disc of jelly like soft cushioning material between all our vertebra which saves them from crushing, rubbing together and also lets the vertebra to bear heavy loads and this cushion also works as shock absorber when we jump run or face some body stress.

This jelly is called as Vertebral disc.
Usually this disc never crosses its limits and stays at a place not touching the nerves which pass from spin to whole body, and in this case legs.

Under abnormal circumstances, due to some injury or pressure this jelly like disc pops and some jello material protrudes in the surrounding. This is called herniated disc or disc protrusion.

This is exactly what has happened in your case, your disc between vertebra names as L1-L2 (lumber 1-2) has protruded ,Not much but just a millimetre , along the centre of vertebral canal(canal in spine in which nerves pass) , so this might be touching some nerve which may be the cause of your symptoms, though in such a small protrusion , symptoms are rare to happen.

I would suggest you to meet your neurosurgeon as soon as possible and discuss the report with possible treatment options. This is nothing much to worry but it is something to be taken care of.


I Hope this answers your question, if your have more queries feel free to ask, otherwise close the discussion and rate it. Wish you the best of health.



Regards,

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.(Licensed Family Physician)

M.B.B.S.

Resident M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (10 minutes later)
It adds further into the report that the protrusion minimally effaces the left anterior aspect of thecal sac
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It's starting to touch your nerves

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back,

It means that it's slightly touching the thecal sac (the covering of nerves passing through spine canal), This might have been causing inflammation in the nerve which in turn can cause pain or numbness.

According to your report it is just the start this problem can be controlled right here by neurosurgeon so meet your doctor as soon as possible and don't panic take good rest and follow this problem carefully.

I wish you prompt recovery

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Ahmad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

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What Does An MRI Report Showing Disc Protrusion Indicate?

Brief Answer: Herniated disc Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to Health Care Magic, Thanks for writing to us, I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way. From your report I gather that this must be your MRI report I suppose you would have got it done after a check-up for some pain or numbness in your legs. I will now explain to you what does this sentence in report means, but for that I will have to explain to you how our spine is formed. You must be knowing our spine is formed of vertebra, but as they are bones and bones can get damages when rubbed together when we move or they can be crushed under pressure when we jump from 3-4 feet height or lift a heavy object. So nature had places a small disc of jelly like soft cushioning material between all our vertebra which saves them from crushing, rubbing together and also lets the vertebra to bear heavy loads and this cushion also works as shock absorber when we jump run or face some body stress. This jelly is called as Vertebral disc. Usually this disc never crosses its limits and stays at a place not touching the nerves which pass from spin to whole body, and in this case legs. Under abnormal circumstances, due to some injury or pressure this jelly like disc pops and some jello material protrudes in the surrounding. This is called herniated disc or disc protrusion. This is exactly what has happened in your case, your disc between vertebra names as L1-L2 (lumber 1-2) has protruded ,Not much but just a millimetre , along the centre of vertebral canal(canal in spine in which nerves pass) , so this might be touching some nerve which may be the cause of your symptoms, though in such a small protrusion , symptoms are rare to happen. I would suggest you to meet your neurosurgeon as soon as possible and discuss the report with possible treatment options. This is nothing much to worry but it is something to be taken care of. I Hope this answers your question, if your have more queries feel free to ask, otherwise close the discussion and rate it. Wish you the best of health. Regards, Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.(Licensed Family Physician) M.B.B.S. Resident M.D.