Severe Facet Hypertrophy

  • Thread starter Thread starter refund495
  • Start date Start date
R

refund495

Guest
My MRI report states that I have severe facet hypertrophy. Degenerative disc change without significant disc bulge.This is in L-5-S1

There is degenerative disc disease with a tiny, broad, symmetric disc bulge.
This is L4-L5

In laymans term can someone please explain this to me?
 
Hi! Facet hypertrophy means that the facet joints (joints on each side of the discs) are worn down. It also means these joints have arthritis. The disc degeneration is a wear down in the disc-the discs have become smaller and flatter. There is less disc space between discs. You may benefit from cortisone injections in your facet joints, or an epidural injection near the discs, depending on your symptoms. Hope that helps! Kera4
 
HYPERtrophy means that the facet joints have bone spurs that are making the openings for the nerves smaller. Disc degeneration means simply that as everyone ages, the discs start to dry out, they have less hydration in them and they may shrink over time. This may or may not be a cause of pain . In most people disc degeneration or dissecation isn't painful and causes no problems. You have no disc bulge or herniation at L5_s1 and a tiny symmetric bulge at L4-5 which may nor may not cause pain. Most surgeons will tell you that there is nothing they can do for these situations. You may, at some point later on need some intervention for the hypertrophy but usually they don't do surgery unless there is nerve damage or evidence of nerve compromise.
Back
 
Back
Top