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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

A result of MRI scan... I would like to know in laymans language. And what would be the treatment for it. Straightening of lumbar lordosis with minimal anterior spondylotic changes noted at L4 and L5 levels. L4-5 disc is desiccated with annular fissure and diffuse posterior bulge causing mild indentation on the thecal fac with left lateral canal stenosis and narrowing on right side with minimal impingement on the traversing left L5 nerve root. L5-s1 disk show diffused posterior bulge causing mild indentation on the thecal fac effacing the anterior ecidural fat.
posted on Mon, 14 Dec 2015
Twitter Wed, 27 Jan 2016 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 28 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on
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Neurologist,  's  Response
I read your question carefully and I will try to explain what that signifies.

The MRI speaks of diffuse degenerative changes of the spine. Every one of us undergoes some changes with age, they may be accelerated by heavy physical work, trauma, rheumatologic conditions, genetic factors.
Such changes may include formation of bony spurs, bulging of the discs between your vertebrae which can lead to compression of the nerve roots exiting the spine. Such compression may lead to pain, sensitivity changes, muscle weakness etc in the territory supplied by those nerves. Now the MRI speaks of one such significant disc bulge of the disc between your 4th and 5th vertebrae which narrows the foramina, the canals traversed by the nerve roots and can lead to pain.
In terms of management, first step is physical therapy and pain killers, most patients gradually improve. If after several weeks it still isn’t working local injections of steroids and analgesics may be the next step. If symptoms persist surgery may be considered as a last resort.

I hope to have been of help.
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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

I read your question carefully and I will try to explain what that signifies. The MRI speaks of diffuse degenerative changes of the spine. Every one of us undergoes some changes with age, they may be accelerated by heavy physical work, trauma, rheumatologic conditions, genetic factors. Such changes may include formation of bony spurs, bulging of the discs between your vertebrae which can lead to compression of the nerve roots exiting the spine. Such compression may lead to pain, sensitivity changes, muscle weakness etc in the territory supplied by those nerves. Now the MRI speaks of one such significant disc bulge of the disc between your 4th and 5th vertebrae which narrows the foramina, the canals traversed by the nerve roots and can lead to pain. In terms of management, first step is physical therapy and pain killers, most patients gradually improve. If after several weeks it still isn’t working local injections of steroids and analgesics may be the next step. If symptoms persist surgery may be considered as a last resort. I hope to have been of help.