MRI Interpetation??

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Freshmimi

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Hello fellow back pain sufferers!

I'm sure there is someone on here who can help me interpret my latest MRI. Of course I am going to discuss with my doctor, but I am curious.

A little Background:

I'm a 40 yo female who experienced a compression fractures of T11 and T12. This was as a result of a major fall. I was in a brace for about 6 weeks and then had Kyphoplasty.

The surgery was successful and I have very little pain in the upper back. However, my lower back has been in pain pretty much the whole time post-op. Just had a steroidal epidural last Tuesday which hasn't helped at all. So, I had an MRI with these results:

Broad base disc protusion with minimal disc space narrowing/disc degeneration at the level of L5-S1.
Encroachment upon the Thecal Sac is present being greater in the right paracentral location.
Tranverse Annular tear at the level of L5-S1
Status post Kyphoplasty at the level of T11-T12


Any and all opinions/feedback is welcome.

Oh, my insurance company has also denied my PT after only ten visits...Lovely right?

Thanks and All the best :)
 
I would think that some of your pain is a result of the fall. I would think your lower back would have taken the brunt of the impact.

The MRI indicates a broad-based protrusion on the disc between the lurabar 5 and sacral 1 vertebrae. "Broad-based" simply is a measurement for a herniation. This herniation is not big enough to effect the space between the two vertebrae. (that would be the "narrowing of the disc space"). In other worRAB the disc is still in place between the two bones (the vertebrae).

There is a small tear in the outer ring of this same disc, with the tear running on a horizontal plane. Some of this material is pressing on the thecal sac, a little more on the right side (than on the left). The thecal sac is a small little tube nestled next to the disc that contains the cerebrospinal fluid. (It would be where the needle is placed during a spinal tap, for example.) At the level of the lurabar discs it surrounRAB and contains the cauda equina nerve roots.

Nothing jumps out as being terribly troubling, but the tear may be enough to cause a little sciatic pain if there is enough pressure on the nerve root where the disc is ruptured at L5-S1.

Do you have more pain on the right side? Does it run down your leg and under your foot?
 
HI-
Thanks for your response.
The interesting thing is most of my pain is on the left side with the pain running from my hip to foot. However, after the EPI, I began to notice pain on my right side, although it is not as prevelant and enRAB at my knee.

It's really disheartining to think that I may have back problems for the rest of my life. Up until my accident, I never had a problwm. UGh

I just keep reminding myself that I am lucky that I am not paralyzed from the fall!

Again, thanks for your reply
 
If I were you, I would work very hard in an attempt to let the disc heal by itself. It sounRAB like it is a small herniation...perhaps the doc will tell you otherwise!

Are you using ice on your lurabar back...10-15 minutes/hour as you are able?
Did your PT show you any exercises you could do to strengthen your lower back and pelvic girdle and floor? If not, you can find them online or in books.

You will want to avoid any activity that involves bending or twisting, and do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Be sure you are using good posture at all times, good body mechanics are important and also be sure you are sleeping in the best positions for those with back problems! If you are very good to your back and really take good care of it, I think you'll find that your problem will eventually go away. Just remeraber that all back issues seem to take forever to heal. It could take a year for that lower back pain to resolve.:( (But it would take that long, too, if you had surgery.)
 
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