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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: In my MRI report it says
L3-4: left posterolateral disc protrusion causing moderate compression on left intervertebral and exit foramen. No significant nerve root compression.
L4-5: Diffuse disc bulge with moderate compression on thecal sac and bilateral intervertebral foramina. No nerve root compression
L5-S1: Annular disc bulge with mild compression on thecal sac. No nerve root compression.
I have low back pain and legs pain. How do I get relief from this?
L3-4: left posterolateral disc protrusion causing moderate compression on left intervertebral and exit foramen. No significant nerve root compression.
L4-5: Diffuse disc bulge with moderate compression on thecal sac and bilateral intervertebral foramina. No nerve root compression
L5-S1: Annular disc bulge with mild compression on thecal sac. No nerve root compression.
I have low back pain and legs pain. How do I get relief from this?
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
The spine is made up of an alignment of small bones. These bones have sponge like discs between them and the spinal cord passes along the back of these bones through the spinal canal. Between the bones we also have nerve roots originating in the spinal cord and passing through foramen between bones.
You seem to be having discs at multiple levels protruding between the bones and this protrusion is backwards and causing narrowing of the spinal canal.
The discs protruding in to the spinal canal at levels L 3 - L4 and L 4 - L 5 might be causing pinching of nerves (especially on left side) leading to severe pain in the area supplied by the nerves. At L 5 - S 1 there is only disc bulge with no pressure on nerve roots.
There are patients who get relief by doing physiotherapy and taking neurogenic pain relievers for up to a year. Injections are also given for relief. However this might not always happen. If your pain is severe and not responding to medical treatment then the disc protrusion needs to be removed by doing a small surgery at the lower back region by a neurosurgeon. Presently, laser assisted surgical techniques are also available.
You can try to feel more comfortable at work by taking small breaks every 30 minutes and not straining your spine especially the painful areas.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
The spine is made up of an alignment of small bones. These bones have sponge like discs between them and the spinal cord passes along the back of these bones through the spinal canal. Between the bones we also have nerve roots originating in the spinal cord and passing through foramen between bones.
You seem to be having discs at multiple levels protruding between the bones and this protrusion is backwards and causing narrowing of the spinal canal.
The discs protruding in to the spinal canal at levels L 3 - L4 and L 4 - L 5 might be causing pinching of nerves (especially on left side) leading to severe pain in the area supplied by the nerves. At L 5 - S 1 there is only disc bulge with no pressure on nerve roots.
There are patients who get relief by doing physiotherapy and taking neurogenic pain relievers for up to a year. Injections are also given for relief. However this might not always happen. If your pain is severe and not responding to medical treatment then the disc protrusion needs to be removed by doing a small surgery at the lower back region by a neurosurgeon. Presently, laser assisted surgical techniques are also available.
You can try to feel more comfortable at work by taking small breaks every 30 minutes and not straining your spine especially the painful areas.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much sir for your suggestion.
I forgot to mention that 2 years back I fell down and ended up in sitting position. That time I had a fracture in my coccyx.
I am getting my whole lower back and knees and legs pain. So when I went to doctor for my coccyx, they did MRI and in MRI report it says about my spinal card as mentioned above
Regarding coccyx it says "No signal changes in the sacrococcygeal segments. No fracture/dislocation".
But I cannot sit for 10 minutes, it gets pain(including cocccyx, whole lower back, knees and leg).
My right knee MRI says:
1. Minimal joint effusion, non specific
2. Minimal peripheral displacement of both menisci
3. Magnetic susceptibility artifact in uterine fundus likely post operative clinical correlation advised
4. Small cyst in right ovary likely physiological
My work is to sit in front of the computer. I could not sit for long time. Please guide me.
Whom do you suggest me to consult Neuro surgeon or orthopedist or physio therapist?
Thank you Again
I forgot to mention that 2 years back I fell down and ended up in sitting position. That time I had a fracture in my coccyx.
I am getting my whole lower back and knees and legs pain. So when I went to doctor for my coccyx, they did MRI and in MRI report it says about my spinal card as mentioned above
Regarding coccyx it says "No signal changes in the sacrococcygeal segments. No fracture/dislocation".
But I cannot sit for 10 minutes, it gets pain(including cocccyx, whole lower back, knees and leg).
My right knee MRI says:
1. Minimal joint effusion, non specific
2. Minimal peripheral displacement of both menisci
3. Magnetic susceptibility artifact in uterine fundus likely post operative clinical correlation advised
4. Small cyst in right ovary likely physiological
My work is to sit in front of the computer. I could not sit for long time. Please guide me.
Whom do you suggest me to consult Neuro surgeon or orthopedist or physio therapist?
Thank you Again
Brief Answer:
Please consult orthopedist with specialization in spine surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
In your case it will be better to get evaluated by the orthopedist first. They can examine your coccyx, disc problems and knee and address a more comprehensive treatment.
The coccyx problem is something that can cause a lot of discomfort. I suggest you use a small doughnut shaped pillow should require to sit for longer periods. Otherwise once in 30 minutes you can just get up from your seat and have walk a few steps.
Please use ointments more than oral pain killers. Ointments containing pain relievers and muscle relaxants are best for your problems. This is in addition to the treatment suggested by the orthopedist. A physiotherapist might be consulted in association with the orthopedist.
Neurosurgeon consultation is required only if you have severe pain in the lower back, not the coccyx. From your MRI it does not look like there is a neurosurgery emergency right now. There are orthopedists who specialize in spine surgery also and you can have consultation with such a doctor and get a more complete treatment solution. The spine surgery specialist orthopedist will also be able to guide you through the knee findings, these look mild at the moment.
The ovary findings are acceptable as normal and the uterus fundus has been marked as due to a surgery that you might be aware of.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please consult orthopedist with specialization in spine surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
In your case it will be better to get evaluated by the orthopedist first. They can examine your coccyx, disc problems and knee and address a more comprehensive treatment.
The coccyx problem is something that can cause a lot of discomfort. I suggest you use a small doughnut shaped pillow should require to sit for longer periods. Otherwise once in 30 minutes you can just get up from your seat and have walk a few steps.
Please use ointments more than oral pain killers. Ointments containing pain relievers and muscle relaxants are best for your problems. This is in addition to the treatment suggested by the orthopedist. A physiotherapist might be consulted in association with the orthopedist.
Neurosurgeon consultation is required only if you have severe pain in the lower back, not the coccyx. From your MRI it does not look like there is a neurosurgery emergency right now. There are orthopedists who specialize in spine surgery also and you can have consultation with such a doctor and get a more complete treatment solution. The spine surgery specialist orthopedist will also be able to guide you through the knee findings, these look mild at the moment.
The ovary findings are acceptable as normal and the uterus fundus has been marked as due to a surgery that you might be aware of.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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