Help Reading Lumbar Spine MRI

  • Thread starter Thread starter catsaunders
  • Start date Start date
C

catsaunders

Guest
Hi,
My first time on the board. I have had chronic lower back problems for years Lower back pain and tingling nurabness in left leg. Got a MRI and it said IMPRESSION: Subchondral changes of degenerative disease at the L4-5 level. LEFT-SIDED DISK PROTRUSION AT L4-5 CAUSING COMPROMISE OF THE LEFT LATERAL RECESS AND LEFT FORAMEN. EARLY AND MINIMAL CENTRAL CANAL STENOSIS WITH NARROWING IN TRANSVERSE DIAMETER. Have tried pain management as well as the McKenzie exercise program. Going to orthropedic RX Tuesday. I was wondering if I was heading to surgery?
 
Hi, probably not for surgery as it is always a last resort and not considered a cure. You will most likely go for more conservative therapy. The sequence is usually anti-inflammatory meRAB, heat or ice, and physical therapy. Then if these do not help, injections work well for some people on bulging disks. These shrink the disk so it is not pressing on a nerve causing symptoms down the leg. Then if the injections do not work, I believe surgery is considered. Good luck to you, I hope you get some help with relief of your pain.
 
Back
Top