What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

Posted on Sun, 8 May 2016

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

Sun, 8 May 2016 Answered on

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : what isa mild discogenic sclerosis on the right at L2/L3 & across the entire disc space at l5 /S1 .there is a 13 degree convex-right lateral curvature with asymmetrical left-sided severe disc spacenarrowing with endplate spurring . what does this mean in plane english. this is part of my MRI

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking.

I Can understand your concern. Discogenic sclerosis means there is loss of natural water content and elastic fibres and they are replaced by hard fibres (Sclerosis). It is a type of degenerative or age related change. It leads to decrease in weight bearing capacity and weight distribution of disc while standing erect/lifting weight. Thus disc becomes prone to herniation.

13 degree convex curve right side means there is scoliosis which is lateral bending of spine. The spine is a straight structure. Lateral curve means it will not be able to distribute load evenly on both sides (right-left). Weight will be distributed more towards left side and thus leads to pinching of discs on that side and may lead to prolapse. Due to this reason, you are having left sided disc narrowing. End plate changes (spurring) is a manifestation of this uneven weight distribution.

All these findings point towards age related and posture related changes in spine and disc.

Hope it will help you. If still any doubt, do let me know.

Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T