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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Disc Protrusion With Spinal Stenosis Be Treated?

i am trying to understand mri stating a large central disc protrusion measuring 8mm in ap dimension at l 4-5 which causes significant spinal stenosis.there is also prominent facet artrhropathy at this level which contributes to spinal stenosis with effacement of the thecal sac.tis is just one of many protrusions of the back and neck
Tue, 30 Dec 2014
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

The lower back 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. You seem to be having one of the discs protruding between the bones and this protrusion is backwards and causing narrowing of the spinal canal. A 8 mm disc protrusion is a large one and can cause significant pinching of the nerve roots at L 4 - 5 level leading to severe pain in your back and legs.

There are patients who get relief by doing physiotherapy and taking neurogenic pain relievers. 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. Presently, laser assisted surgical techniques are also available.
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How Can Disc Protrusion With Spinal Stenosis Be Treated?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. The lower back 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. You seem to be having one of the discs protruding between the bones and this protrusion is backwards and causing narrowing of the spinal canal. A 8 mm disc protrusion is a large one and can cause significant pinching of the nerve roots at L 4 - 5 level leading to severe pain in your back and legs. There are patients who get relief by doing physiotherapy and taking neurogenic pain relievers. 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. Presently, laser assisted surgical techniques are also available.