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What Does This MRI Report Of Lower Back Indicate?
Question: Hi I have had an Mri of my lower back I just wanted a second opinion on whether I need surgery or not I'm not sure how bad things must get before you need surgery MRI AS FOLLOWS
1/ LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS
2/ L5-S1 LEVEL- DIFFUSE DISC BULGE WITH POSTERIOR CENTRAL DISC PROTRUSION AND ANNULAR TEAR CAUSING THECAL SAC INDENTATION ALONGWITH NARROWING OF BILATERAL NEURAL FORAMINA (L>R) AND CANALS STENOSIS
3/ L4-5- DIFFUSE DISC BULGE;POSTERIOR CENTRAL DISC PROTRUSION; ANNULAR TEAR WITH BILATERAL FACET ARTHROPATHY AND LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM HYPERTROPHY CAUSING THECAL SAC INDENTATION ALONG WITH SEVERE NARROWING OF BILATERAL NEURAL FORAMINA AND CANALS STENOSIS.
4/ L3-4 LEVEL- BILATERAL FACET ARTHROPATHY CAUSING MILD NARROWING OF BILATERAL NEURAL FORMINA..
1/ LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS
2/ L5-S1 LEVEL- DIFFUSE DISC BULGE WITH POSTERIOR CENTRAL DISC PROTRUSION AND ANNULAR TEAR CAUSING THECAL SAC INDENTATION ALONGWITH NARROWING OF BILATERAL NEURAL FORAMINA (L>R) AND CANALS STENOSIS
3/ L4-5- DIFFUSE DISC BULGE;POSTERIOR CENTRAL DISC PROTRUSION; ANNULAR TEAR WITH BILATERAL FACET ARTHROPATHY AND LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM HYPERTROPHY CAUSING THECAL SAC INDENTATION ALONG WITH SEVERE NARROWING OF BILATERAL NEURAL FORAMINA AND CANALS STENOSIS.
4/ L3-4 LEVEL- BILATERAL FACET ARTHROPATHY CAUSING MILD NARROWING OF BILATERAL NEURAL FORMINA..
Brief Answer:
Surgery is the one alternative left.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about what you have been through.
From your description it seems you have already tried the conservative means at the disposal of medicine as well as alternatives like acupuncture. On the other hand MRI does confirm that there is severe narrowing of neural foramina and canal stenosis (narrowing) which causes nerve root compression as well.
So at this point, while it might have been useful if you had also mentioned your symptoms, I am afraid surgery is the one option which is left, you have already exhausted other options.
I remain at your disposal for further questions, but possibly with some more info on your symptoms as well.
Surgery is the one alternative left.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about what you have been through.
From your description it seems you have already tried the conservative means at the disposal of medicine as well as alternatives like acupuncture. On the other hand MRI does confirm that there is severe narrowing of neural foramina and canal stenosis (narrowing) which causes nerve root compression as well.
So at this point, while it might have been useful if you had also mentioned your symptoms, I am afraid surgery is the one option which is left, you have already exhausted other options.
I remain at your disposal for further questions, but possibly with some more info on your symptoms as well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Pain , heaviness in both thigh areas 24/7 causing tiredness due to lack of sleep on a daily basis. Stiffness in lumbar region possibly causing the sleepless nights aswell as the pain.always shuffling about at night to get a more comfortable position, I can walk for miles but once I stop I need to sit down to take the pressure off both thighs equally.i cannot stand for too long due to the onset of pain in both thigh areas.pain weakness and numbness is more apparent in the mornings on a daily basis and gradually decrease as day goes on but the nagging pain is always their 24/7. I'm afraid things might get worse after the surgery and I might regret it.is this a routine operation for a neurosurgeon or a complexed one according to my MRI?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Judging by the symptoms it is obvious that there is nerve root compression which corresponds to the MRI findings.
I understand your fear from surgery, it is only natural before an invasive procedure. I do not want to make things look so straightforward, there are patients which do not improve even after surgery. However in the majority, in about 80% of patients there is improvement after surgery.
As for the procedure itself it is one of the most common issues a neurosurgeon has to deal with, so yes, it is a fairly routine procedure. Usually the more difficult decision is whether to intervene or not, in your case though as I said before you have done everything that was in your power to prevent it, all the physio and the drugs, so you shouldn't have any regrets.
I hope things work out for the best.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Judging by the symptoms it is obvious that there is nerve root compression which corresponds to the MRI findings.
I understand your fear from surgery, it is only natural before an invasive procedure. I do not want to make things look so straightforward, there are patients which do not improve even after surgery. However in the majority, in about 80% of patients there is improvement after surgery.
As for the procedure itself it is one of the most common issues a neurosurgeon has to deal with, so yes, it is a fairly routine procedure. Usually the more difficult decision is whether to intervene or not, in your case though as I said before you have done everything that was in your power to prevent it, all the physio and the drugs, so you shouldn't have any regrets.
I hope things work out for the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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