What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 25 Oct 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 Answered on

Sat, 18 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 74 yr old female. Have had rt hip and leg pain for a year, nearly two. Initially an occasional
chiropractic adjustment would keep me going. Eventually the chiro took an X ray, told me I needed
to see an MD. They put me through physical therapy, shots, MRI (several). Most recently I got an
epidural ? shot. It was expensive enough that pre-approval was needed. The MRI s showed disc
deterioration at L4-L5 and even worse at L1. The spine chart in the chiro's office shows sciatica
as a common problem at L4-L5. Should I be more concerned about L1 (the MRI looks terrible) or
L4. YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
More concerned about L4

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

Pain that radiates down the leg most commonly originates from the L4/5 region. Given the nature of your pain, I will pain more focus on this.

Treatment isn't based on radiographic/imaging evidence only What takes precedence is the way the patient feels. Your symptoms will always be given priority over silent though gross concerning looks.

I hope this guides and helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj