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What Is My MRI Result Indicative Of?
I have an MRI results and I am unsure of what it means and/or will surgery be required? Readings are - Moderate to large size broad-base central and left posterior paracentral disc herniation at L-5-S1 with displacement of the left S-1 nerve root. Moderate sized posterocentral disc herniation eccentric tot he right at L4 - 5 with mild thecal sac compression. Can someone help me by explaining what this means in laymen terms and will I need surgery to fix the problem? I am experiencing left leg weakness and pain from the left lower back through the posterior left knee.
Mon, 18 Apr 2016
hi,
thank you for providing the MRI report in brief.
As mentioned by you the report, all MRI reports has to be clinically correlated with the clinical symptoms and based on that the treatment of choice is performed.
As you have mentioned the symptoms, i will recommend to go for a conservative treatment plan - rest, medication and physical therapy.
A proper rest taken can allow the body to relax and the compression on the nerve root in the spine is less. Medication guided by a physician should be taken rather self medication. Physical therapy will include, therapeutic ultrasound therapy, TENS therapy and exercises. 99% patients recover with the combination of this plan and have 99% success rate over symptoms.
Also, every MRI seen will have the up and down side. Like in your case there is a mild compression on the nerve roots and for which you are getting pain. Disc herniation is a degenerative ageing process and it is common in most of the population but until it shows compression on nerve root and symptoms arise no one is bothered about it, since it is a normal ageing process. Also, disc is soft tissue placed in between the two bones of the vertebra (spine) to act as a shock absorber. and at certain stage it has to have changes in its functional capacity.
Also, based on your symptoms if they are not able to be controlled by conservative therapy like - rest, medication and physical therapy the choice of surgery is available and patient is open to chose that based on the discussion with the surgeon.
But 99% of cases do not need surgery and recover with conservative therapy. My clinical experience has always avoided surgery in 100% of cases till date.
Post the symptoms reducing, you should continue exercises at your own in home to assure the strength in the muscles.
I wish you a good health ahead.
Regards
Jay Indravadan Patel
thank you for providing the MRI report in brief.
As mentioned by you the report, all MRI reports has to be clinically correlated with the clinical symptoms and based on that the treatment of choice is performed.
As you have mentioned the symptoms, i will recommend to go for a conservative treatment plan - rest, medication and physical therapy.
A proper rest taken can allow the body to relax and the compression on the nerve root in the spine is less. Medication guided by a physician should be taken rather self medication. Physical therapy will include, therapeutic ultrasound therapy, TENS therapy and exercises. 99% patients recover with the combination of this plan and have 99% success rate over symptoms.
Also, every MRI seen will have the up and down side. Like in your case there is a mild compression on the nerve roots and for which you are getting pain. Disc herniation is a degenerative ageing process and it is common in most of the population but until it shows compression on nerve root and symptoms arise no one is bothered about it, since it is a normal ageing process. Also, disc is soft tissue placed in between the two bones of the vertebra (spine) to act as a shock absorber. and at certain stage it has to have changes in its functional capacity.
Also, based on your symptoms if they are not able to be controlled by conservative therapy like - rest, medication and physical therapy the choice of surgery is available and patient is open to chose that based on the discussion with the surgeon.
But 99% of cases do not need surgery and recover with conservative therapy. My clinical experience has always avoided surgery in 100% of cases till date.
Post the symptoms reducing, you should continue exercises at your own in home to assure the strength in the muscles.
I wish you a good health ahead.
Regards
Jay Indravadan Patel
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