Lower Back Mri Findings - Please Clarify Posted: 04-20-06 10:49am
I recently had an mri for severe lower
back pain (which extended into my hips,
buttocks and legs) - my doctor (an
orthopedic surgeon who has performed
several surgeries on my knees for me so I
trust him) is sending me to physical
therapy for 4 weeks and if I don't notice
any improvement he is then sending me to a
spinal specialist. (i'm a 38 year old
female)
so...Here is my question (s) - he gave me
a copy of the mri report but didn't do the
best job of explaining it thoroughly to me
- can you please tell me (in plain
english) what it all means?
It was an mri on the lower spine without
contrast
impression: (1) transitional vertebra
enumerated as s1, (2) degeneration of
invertebral discs and disc displacements
as described.
Findings:
desiccation of multiple interverbral discs
is seen indicating degeneration of
invertebral discs.
A transitional vertebra is noted, and for
the purposes of this study will be
enumerated as s1 corresponding to the
plain film.
L3-4: no significant disc bulge, canal
stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing.
L4-5: small broad based disc bulge indents
the anterior thecal sac. Mild ligamentum
flavum and facet hypertrophy is noted.
No significant canal stenosis or neural
foraminal narrowing.
L5-s1: small broad disc bulge with annular
tear and small right paracentral focal
protrusion, indenting the anterior thecal
sac. Mild ligamentum flavum and facet
hypertrophy is noted. No significant
canal stenosis or neural foraminal
narrowing.
S1-2: large focal central protrusion
indents the anterior thecal sac
as an fyi, since then my knees, which I
have had several surgeries for my
condition (osteochondritis dissecens of
the weight-bearing femoral cartlidge sp?)
have been bothering me again after 2 years
of peace - in fact one of them is just as
sore as my back & keeps popping again.
We think my knees are the result of a
car accident I was in back in 1992.
Also..My mother & grandmother both
have osteoporosis/osteoarthritis if this
helps.
Please advise as to what I can/should do -
this pain is debilitating - like someone
constantly shoving a hot dagger into my
tailbone region.
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disabledcoastie
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 68 Location: West Virginia
Posted: 04-21-06 14:58pm
Alb,
first thing I noticed is that you have an
extra veterbral bone, not unheard of but
pretty uncommon. In addition you have
degenerative disc disease and two
herniated discs. Out of curiosity what
did the doctor recommend? I'm not
suprised you are having pain and you
should see a back specialist, most
commonly these are neurosurgeons and
frequently an orthapeadist. You can
check out www.Spineuniverse.Com
to find a doc in your area. I don't have
a dog in this fight so to speak, but you
need to see a good back surgeon to see
what can be done, ie physical therapy,
surgery, bracing, what ever. Good luck
and keep us posted.
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albyseeinya
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 2 Location: NYC
Lower Back Mri Findings - Please Clarify Posted: 04-22-06 08:42am
Disabledcoastie,
thank you for your reply.
Yes, I am seeing an orthapedic doctor
& I start pt on monday - my doc said
if I don't feel any improvement w/in 4
weeks he will send me to a spinal
surgeon.
Thank you for helping me to understand the
mri - I truly appreciate it.
Best,
annie
|
disabledcoastie
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 68 Location: West Virginia
Posted: 04-23-06 17:15pm
Best of luck to you annie. I would make
sure that your pt is current on treatment
of back injuries. With the back the old
saying no pain no gain, just doesn't hold
up. Listen to your body if it hurts,
tell the pt and stop doing whatever is
causing the pain. A pt who isn't well
versed with your condition should not
oversee your treatment. Best of luck and
I truly hope you can avoid the knife.
