Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
MRI Showing Disc Protrusion In The Foraminal Zone And Annular Tear. Disc Bulge With Dorsal Ligamentous Narrowing. What Does It Mean?
I have an mri that staes at c5-6, a disc protrusion in the left foraminal zone measureing 0.4 cm AP by 1.1 cm TR is present and demonstrates an annular tear. this disc protrusion appears to contact the exiting left c6 nerve and results in mild to moderate left neural foraminal narrowing. there is no significant right neural foraminal narrowing. at c6-7 the disc protrusion within the right foraminal zone measuring 0.4 cm AP by 0.8 cm TR results in server right neural foraminal narrowing and possibly impinges upon teh exiting right c7 nerve. the superimposed disc bulge along with dorsal ligamentous hypertrophy results in mild to moderate canal narrowing, decreasing the AP diameter of the spinal canal to 7 mm. the disc bulge also results in moderate to server left neural foraminal narrowing. What does this mean? what treatments or surgery will have to be done to correct this? me
Tue, 5 Feb 2013
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
Your MRI of cervical spine shows features of degeneration of discs (soft tissue located between the vertebral bodies), which has bulged at two levels.
This has resulted in compression of the cervical nerves, which take care of sensations and strength of arm muscles.
Common symptoms are pain in the arms, weakness or numbness of arms.
Usual treatment is with medications such as pregabalin and physiotherapy. Surgery is required in about 10% of cases, to relieve the pressure from the compressed nerve.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Thank you for posting your query.
Your MRI of cervical spine shows features of degeneration of discs (soft tissue located between the vertebral bodies), which has bulged at two levels.
This has resulted in compression of the cervical nerves, which take care of sensations and strength of arm muscles.
Common symptoms are pain in the arms, weakness or numbness of arms.
Usual treatment is with medications such as pregabalin and physiotherapy. Surgery is required in about 10% of cases, to relieve the pressure from the compressed nerve.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Disc protrusion
Loading Online Doctors....