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Anterior Osteophtes

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September 24th, 2008
Howsit going everybody,Im new here.

I got my results back from the xray and it said:

There are Anterior Osteophtes at the L2-L-3 and L3-L4 and also at the L1 Vertbral Body.
Minimal Anterior wedging of the L1 vertebral body which may represent a minimal compression fracture.

I hurt my back a year ago and been seeing diffrent doctors.My doctor told me to swim for excercise,so I have been and the pain is getting worse,when I tell him the pain is getting to the point where certain days I need a cane to walk,he just tells me my body isnt used to the excercise and to continue with swimming.

The thing is,The Xray I took last year just said I had Degenartive changes of the lumbar spine.Now it has all this fracture,wedging and osteophytes stuff....I dont know what all that means,but it doesnt sound good.

Can anyone translate what this stuff means into regular english? lol
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littleonefb
replied September 24th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
Hi StickyfingahZ,

Osteophytes are bone spurs that can develop in the spine from the aging process. They are degenerative changes in the spine.
Your x-ray last year just used the general term of degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.
The new one just added specific terminology and location of the changes with more detailed info including the wedging at the L1.

I would suggest that you see a spine specialist as soon as you can. Either an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in spines or a neurosurgeon that specializes in spines only.

You kneed a complete evaluation of your spine, probably a CT scan to determine if there really is a compression fracture at the L1 and an MRI to determine if the osteophytes are causing any nerve compression in the spine.

The answers your present doctor is giving you show that he is not capable of treating your spinal issues because either he is not qualified because he is not a spinal surgeon with the knowledge and experience to properly diagnose and treat, or he is a spine surgeon that is not any good.

Please seek the care of a spine surgeon ASAP.

Fran
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Users who thank littleonefb for this post: StickyfingahZ 
StickyfingahZ
replied September 24th, 2008
WOW,Thank you so much Fran!
I have been wondering if my doctor is giving me the right treatment.His advice is completely diffrent from my chiropractors.
But I think you are right,I need to go see a specialist.
Thank you very much for your help.
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littleonefb
replied September 24th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
I'm not a fan of chiropractors. I've seen too many people suffer more serious spine problems by using one when they should have been going to a spine surgeon for evaluation and treatment.

Swimming and water exercise may be of help, but only with the correct guidance of trained physical therapists.

It is always best to see a specialist when one has a specific type of problem.

Glad to help and give you some guidance. All based on my own experience with spinal issues and past work in hospitals.

Good luck and let us know what the specialist says.

Fran
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Nilesh_Parmar
replied January 30th, 2012
Back Pain
Today I received my spinal x-ray reports, and it says Anterior Wedging L1 seen, what does it mean?
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Gaelic
replied January 31st, 2012
Especially eHealthy
Nilesh_Parmar,

Anterior Wedging L1, means that the anterior aspect (the front) of the first lumbar vertebral body is compressed down.

It does not say how much wedging has occurred. This is usually given in absolute number of millimeters difference between the height of the anterior edge of the vertebral body and the posterior aspect of the vertebral body. Or, it can be reported as a percentage.

But, in a wedge, there is no burst component, so the spinal canal is not compromised.


The wedging can be caused by trauma, usually in the younger population, or from osteoporosis, in the older population.


You should discuss the finding with your physician.

Good luck.
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