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What Does My Lumbar Scan Report Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015
Question: I have a few questions in relation to my scans.. first of all I have been on this forum before and I found it very useful I forwarded in july/august time. I am now forwarding you two more scans to look at.

The reading for the Lumbar Scan is as follows:-

Desiccated L4L5 and L5S1 discs with minimal degenerative anterior listhesis of S1 on L5. Satisfactory verbal alignment otherwise. There is a broad based disc bulge and central to right paracentral annular tear at the L4-5 level with a little flattening of the anterior thecal sac and minor right exit foraminal narrowing but no discrete nerve root compression. There is a minimal disc bulge and small central annular tear at the L5S1 level but no appreciable canal or exit foraminal narrowing. Dehydrated disc and small left posterosteral disc bulge and annular tear present at the L3L4 level with minor left exit foraminal narrowing but no discrete nerve root compression. Normal signal throughout the visualised lower cord.

My Cervical Spine reads as follows:- Straightening of the Cervical spine with partial loss of lordosis. Satisfactory verbal alignment otherwise Desiccated disc and advanced degenerative disc space narrowing at C5C6 Level. Dehydrated discs at remaining cervical levels with mild/moderate C6C7 disc space narrowing. There is a moderate sized broad based disc osteophyte with a right sided preponderance at C5 C6 level with moderate to high grade right and somewhat less pronounced left exit foraminal narrowing. There is a similar broad based disc bulge at the C6-C7 level with moderate exit foraminal narrowing bilaterally. Normal signal throughout the cervical and visualised upper thoracic cord. Symtoms in the neck are very sore upper limbs when moving or driving. I have been getting a lot of physiotherapy. My physiotherapy states there are no neurological findings in back or neck..last time I was scanned for neck was last year and got reviews from Healthcare magic. How do I get rid of the trapeziuz muscles pain in upper arm bilaterial.. can you give me your opinion on both these scans.. I have attached both of them. I may send you another copy in a later email of the last back scan taken six months ago and the neck scan taken six months ago. Thanks.. Scan s attached

I would appreciate if you could please look at the two reports.in the lumbar and cervical..and compare the differences..you see the dates on them for clarification. Many thanks..could you please explain to be what is forminal narrowing. thanks so mcuh

doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
In cervical spine disc bulge is mild and you can get relief with local ster

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case.
I have seen attached your MRI

In cervical spine disc bulge is mild and you can get relief with local steroid injection shot.
Continue your Physiotherapy like ultrasound and interferential therapy will give quick relief.
Trapezius muscle pain can be relieved by physio and local injection.

For these symptoms analgesic and neurotropic medication like pregabalin and methylcobalamine can be started consulting your doctor.
Till time, avoid lifting weights.
I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level.

Your lumbar scan also shows some disc bulge but not compressing nerve root.
So continue physiotherapy for lumbar spine also.
Epidural injection shot may help if no relief.

I have seen your old scan and new also, there is no significant aggravation.
Foramen is passage from where nerve root exit so canal narrowing leads to pain.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (2 hours later)
Thank you.
When you say local steroid injection.. do you mean epidural injection? If it is epidural injection. is this safe
Is this arthritis of the neck?
or spodolytitis?
Can this go away on it's own.. it is only painful upon movements?
Would you advice swimming
I walk a lot is this advisable
Can nerve root compression in neck go away
Doyou think that this could require surgery/
is there a disc bulge at c6c7 also.. is this serious..
is this stenosis
is it near the spinal cord
I had nerve root compression last year in back for three months It eventually went away thank god
I worry about the neck stiffness.. there are no pins and needles
is deciccated disc dangerous
Thanks
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:

Hello again,

Epidural and local steroid injection is different.
Epidural injection is given in epidural space of spinal canal.
Epidural injection will give long term pain relief.

You have degenerative spondylitis in neck with disc bulge.

It won’t go away on its own.
Pain will aggravate on excessive flexion of neck.

Yes you can do swimming.

You can walk on plain surface. Avoid climbing.

Nerve root compression can reduce in intensity.

This will not require surgery.

There is disc bulge at c6-7, this is not serious.

This is not stenosis
There is no significant spinal cord compression.

Yes desiccated disc can be dangerous if compressing cord.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (56 minutes later)
Is the nerve that is compressing near the cord. Do you recommend epidural or steroid injection. .can pain in arm go away. Is it bad spondylitis..There are no pins and needles just stiffness. .when you say that this won the go away on it so own..do you mean never..Thanks so much..do you suggest steroid injection
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Yes nerve is compressing near cord.

Epidural injection for cervical spine.

Yes pain in arm will reduce and go.

Spondylitis is moderate variety.

I said if you do not treat it then it may not go away.

Wishing you good health.

If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to rate it at end of discussion.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (1 hour later)
Do you mean that if do not treat this with epidural that it may not go..my consultant I reluctant to do epidural as yet. Will physio help. Will local steroid injection help. Will this need surgery. .I do worry about becoming paralysed. .I am taking page bin for four days now. .is this dangerous. Thanks.alsovis spodolit is not arthritis
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Right now no surgery is required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Yes physio may help you.

Yes local steroid will be more helpful.

Right now no surgery is required.

Spondylitis is near to arthritis of vertebre.

Wishing you good health.

If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to rate it at end of discussion.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (13 minutes later)
When u say spondylitis is near to arthritis of the vertebrae. Are u saying I have arthritis of the vertebrae. .also can nerve damage happen.when you say close to cord..is this spinal cord compression. Could this happen. It is mainly stiffness. .is there kyphosis there...when u say it won the go away on it so own.ate u saying I will have this forever. .I want to avoid surgery at all costs. .have u seen scans much worse than this..thanks so much

so sorry to bother you.. is it the c5c6 that is near the spinal cord.is it actually compressing it.. could I become paralised if it did....can forminal narrowing be reverted? I biggest worry is nerve damage. thank so much
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Yes there is arthritis of vertebrae.

You don’t have significant cord compression on you latest MRI.

Yes kyphosis is there in cervical spine.

Yes I have seen MRI with severe cord and nerve compression leading to neurological weakness.

Presently there is no significant cord compression so you will no get paralyzed.

Foraminal narrowing is less likely to revert.

You may need regular follow up to see for neurological weakness.

Wishing you good health.

If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to rate it at end of discussion.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (17 minutes later)
Is forming narrowing stenosis. Will the arm muscle pain go away..is the nerve compression effecting the muscles. .is kyphosis bad. .thanks

is pulling dangerous for this condition
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (47 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Stenosis is another word for narrowing. Foraminal narrowing can also be talked of as foraminal stenosis. But it is different than canal stenosis/ narrowing.

Arm muscle pain will go if nerve compression is reduced.

Yes nerve compression will affect muscles.

No kyphosis is not bad.

Yes pulling is dangerous.

Wishing you good health.

If you are satisfied with answer do not forget to rate it at end of discussion.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 5164 Questions

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What Does My Lumbar Scan Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: In cervical spine disc bulge is mild and you can get relief with local ster Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. I have seen attached your MRI In cervical spine disc bulge is mild and you can get relief with local steroid injection shot. Continue your Physiotherapy like ultrasound and interferential therapy will give quick relief. Trapezius muscle pain can be relieved by physio and local injection. For these symptoms analgesic and neurotropic medication like pregabalin and methylcobalamine can be started consulting your doctor. Till time, avoid lifting weights. I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level. Your lumbar scan also shows some disc bulge but not compressing nerve root. So continue physiotherapy for lumbar spine also. Epidural injection shot may help if no relief. I have seen your old scan and new also, there is no significant aggravation. Foramen is passage from where nerve root exit so canal narrowing leads to pain. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care.