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What Does This X-ray Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 23 May 2017

Question: Hi - I have the report from the x-ray department. They have only commented specifically on my thoracic part of my spine as that's where the most pain is coming from. This question relates to the last one I did.

Findings: There appears to be small kyphosis of thoracic spine.
There are anterior osteophytes at multiple mid thoracic disc levels, indicative of early degenerative changes.
Otherwise normal vertebral bodies and disc spaces are seen.

What it doesn't say is why it is causing me pain. My GP is away a lot so I have to wait to see him to get a referral to someone.
Just thought I'd update you on the findings. Well, it's one persons interpretation of the x-ray!

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
These are expected findings with aging.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern,

Osteophytes are generally age related degenerative findings.
These are expected findings with aging.
Mild kyphosis may be positional.

Pain may be due to some other reasons.It is important to see for nerve compression.
MRI may be advised for proper evaluation. Only MRI can assess disc prolapse,nerve root compression etc which may be related to pain.

You may need proper evaluation by a neurologist.

Get well soon.

Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr. Indu XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (9 hours later)

Hi
Thank you for your answer :) I was rather annoyed at the findings, because I am 43, not 63! Crumbling discs is on my Dad's side of the family, but him and Nana never got bone spurs first. I have had low bone density but I wasn't expecting this.... I also wanted to let Dr Mahaveer XXXXXXX know, as he was following the progress. I'll update once I've been to a specialist.
Thanks

Just one more thing - were the bone spurs not real clear on the xray I sent through, which is why they thought it was AS at first? Or does AS still exist by your opinion?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Early osteophytes may be expected in your age.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing back,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern,

Early osteophytes may be expected in your age.This is not a very significant finding.
As we discussed earlier,you may need MRI for proper evaluation.

Get well soon.

Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr. Indu XXXXXXX

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana