Hi
I am a 61 year old male suffering from
right leg sciatica. I recently had my MRI
tests and I need suggestions for what
should I do regarding my MRI test results.
I am posting the conclusions of my tests ,
kindly reply and help me knowing my
current state ,how should i treat it?
suggest me the right treatment,what should
I do next?
MRI conclusions by a radiologist:
1-Degenerative changes in the entire
lumbosacral spine as described.
2-Tiny non-compressive degenerative broad
based disc bulge at L3-L4 with a small
focal radial tear.
3-Small degenerative broad based left
paracentral disc bulge at L4-L5 causing
mild to moderate narrowing of left lateral
canal and subtle bilateral foraminal
stenosis.
5-Moderate sized broadbased right
paracentral disc protrusion at L5-S1
causing moderately severe right lateral
canal narrowing and right foraminal
stenosis.
Thanx
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sillyakchick
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Posted: 07-17-07 13:23pm
I would go for injections, followed by a
little physical therapy.
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karamatullah
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 3
Posted: 07-18-07 16:19pm
thanx for replying.. wot injections are u
talkin about? steroids? my physician
suggested me a surgery. Is there any
alternative? I dont want to risk my
condition with surgery. Besides my pain is
constant with no more no less progress
since january 2006.
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sillyakchick
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Posted: 07-18-07 16:30pm
I would think that a trial of an Epidural
steroid injection at L5-S1 and a right L5
Selective nerve root block would be at
least worth trying prior to undergoing a
surgery. Did they reccomend a discectomy
and foraminotomy or a laminectomy? I
wouldn't think you would need a fusion at
this point.
Western medicine has a pretty poor track
record for treating the back. Often
times having one spine surgery has a
domino effect and warrants further need
for surgery. The injection would be
considered conservative treatment, as
would the PT. Basically the injection
would decrease swelling and inflammation
that would enable you to rehab this
through PT yourself. If conservative
methods fail, back surgery still remains
an option. Studies have shown that people
who have surgery for disc herniations and
those who don't feel the same after five
years. At 6 weeks, most surgical patients
feel better. At 6 months about half feel
better. Five years later, results are
about the same.
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karamatullah
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 3
Ahan Posted: 07-19-07 14:01pm
I also am suffering from rheumotoid
arthritis do u think the 2 are inter
related in any way? besides Ive been into
driving car for many hours. Do u think it
has any effect?
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sillyakchick
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Posted: 07-19-07 14:04pm
I don't have a good answer for that. I
wish I did. I guess you would want to
refer this to your rheumatologist
