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What Does "small Central Disk Herniation At L3 -L4 With Facet Arthrosis" Mean?
Question: My son had MRI and this is results. MRI impression: small central disk herniation at L3 -L4 with Facet Arthrosis. There is mild Subarticular recess narrowing. mild facet arthrosis at L3-4, L4 - & L5-S1
He had pain in lower back with some leg pain. No history of injury.
He had complained of pain for last couple of years. Note starting to cause pain in his legs. He is slim, 6'3" 200#. Always very active however this is starting to effective his ability to bend over. He works or and find he can't even do that without pain. The nurse practitioners response was is it hurts don't do it... Well every day normal activities are bothersome. ..I demanded MRI above are results we just received . We don't have appt to follow up with MD until August.
He had pain in lower back with some leg pain. No history of injury.
He had complained of pain for last couple of years. Note starting to cause pain in his legs. He is slim, 6'3" 200#. Always very active however this is starting to effective his ability to bend over. He works or and find he can't even do that without pain. The nurse practitioners response was is it hurts don't do it... Well every day normal activities are bothersome. ..I demanded MRI above are results we just received . We don't have appt to follow up with MD until August.
Brief Answer:
Description below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
Symptoms and MRI reports are suggestive of prolapsed inter vertebral disc, rightly at L3L4 region. This disc may be compressing upon a nerve root that either exits or traverses through that level. Having known this basic anatomy, he must avoid any activity that aggravates the condition, like bending forward and lifting heavy objects, sitting long hours on computer, inappropriate sitting posture, etc.
The medications will relieve pain and help muscles to relax. Physiotherapy shall also help a lot, especially exercises that strengthen your back. Kindly note that exercises only be done when it doesn't hurt. Adequate rest and proper nutrition is equally important. Drink lots of fluids since dehydration affects the disc.
If he fail to improve with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptom relief for a few months. There is good evidence that epidural injections can be successful in 60-70% of patients who have not been helped by 6 weeks or more of conservative management.
If all these measures fail to provide significant pain relief, then surgical decompression may be an option.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Description below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
Symptoms and MRI reports are suggestive of prolapsed inter vertebral disc, rightly at L3L4 region. This disc may be compressing upon a nerve root that either exits or traverses through that level. Having known this basic anatomy, he must avoid any activity that aggravates the condition, like bending forward and lifting heavy objects, sitting long hours on computer, inappropriate sitting posture, etc.
The medications will relieve pain and help muscles to relax. Physiotherapy shall also help a lot, especially exercises that strengthen your back. Kindly note that exercises only be done when it doesn't hurt. Adequate rest and proper nutrition is equally important. Drink lots of fluids since dehydration affects the disc.
If he fail to improve with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptom relief for a few months. There is good evidence that epidural injections can be successful in 60-70% of patients who have not been helped by 6 weeks or more of conservative management.
If all these measures fail to provide significant pain relief, then surgical decompression may be an option.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
after reading report again i noticed it stated he has disk desiccation...at age 23 with no known injury. isn't this degenerative? also narrowing. .. please see attached report
Brief Answer:
disc desiccation could occur due to strain.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through the MRI report attached.It not seems to be degenerative. This disc desiccation could occur due to strain in that area.
disc desiccation could occur due to strain.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through the MRI report attached.It not seems to be degenerative. This disc desiccation could occur due to strain in that area.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Well I'd be curious to know if surgical decompression is a permanent solution. I also want to know if this will eventually keep him from having an active lifestyle.Does surgical decompression offer a permanent solution and will this issue keep him from a active lifestyle?
Asked this question a day ago with no response? ?
Asked this question a day ago with no response? ?
Brief Answer:
Surgical decompression will definitely help him.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sorry for late reply.
Yes surgical decompression will definitely help him and offer a permanent solution. This issue will not keep him from a active lifestyle.
Wishing your son sooner recovery...
Warm regards.
Surgical decompression will definitely help him.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sorry for late reply.
Yes surgical decompression will definitely help him and offer a permanent solution. This issue will not keep him from a active lifestyle.
Wishing your son sooner recovery...
Warm regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Dr. Saurabh Gupta
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :2004
Answered : 5930 Questions
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