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What Does This MRI Report Of Spine Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Aug 2015
Question: How severe is a diagnosis of
SL/3/4 There is a significant central disc protrusion extending slightly to the right and this is producing significant indentation of the Thecal sac and probable involvement of the exiting nerve root on the right side
l/4/5 again there is a significant central disc protrusion producing significant compression of the Thecal sac but no lateral extension involved. Whoops I did not give my email address the first time YYYY@YYYY

L/5/S1 Degenerate disc with gas formation and facet joint degenerative changes. there is a significant central disc protrusion which is impinging upon the Thecal sac but no lateral extension to involve nerve roots.
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not severe

Detailed Answer:
I read that description carefully and I understand your concern.

That report indicates diffuse degenerative changes in your spine. Each of us does undergo some changes with age. They can be accelerated like in your case by factors like trauma, heavy physical work or simply genetic predisposition.

The changes are not severe and should be manageable conservatively, that is to say should improve without invasive means like surgery, there is no severe root compression. You seem to have taken already the right steps which are physical therapy and over the counter pain killers, they are the chosen treatment during the first months, if there is muscle spasm muscle relaxants like flexeril can be added for a couple of weeks only.

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Does This MRI Report Of Spine Indicate?

Brief Answer: Not severe Detailed Answer: I read that description carefully and I understand your concern. That report indicates diffuse degenerative changes in your spine. Each of us does undergo some changes with age. They can be accelerated like in your case by factors like trauma, heavy physical work or simply genetic predisposition. The changes are not severe and should be manageable conservatively, that is to say should improve without invasive means like surgery, there is no severe root compression. You seem to have taken already the right steps which are physical therapy and over the counter pain killers, they are the chosen treatment during the first months, if there is muscle spasm muscle relaxants like flexeril can be added for a couple of weeks only. I remain at your disposal for further questions.