Anyone shed some light on this MRI Report?

Question

I just had an MRI of my lower back and it reads...
Right paracentral protrusion-extrusion at L4-5. Disc material impinges the rt. L5 Nerve root. Left paracentral disc protrusion at L5-S1. Disc material impinges the S1 nerve root.
Does this sound like I need to see a surgeon asap? I have had 3 discectomy's at the L4-5 level, but they were across the country, so I need a new doc. Should the ER have kept me and called in a surgeon?

Answer 1

It has nothing to do with bone spurs. If it had to do with bone spurs the MRI would have shown that. All it has to do with is the discs in your back. The disc is split into two parts. The middle part is like a small, flat ball and the outer layer is circular and designed to keep the inner layer in place. The inner layer can protrude out and thus put pressure on a nerve (posterior lateral slippage) or slip out at other angles and not cause any problem at all. Like it has been said before slipped discs are a common problem. Since it is impinging on two nerves you may need surgery if it is causing you severe problems. But you probably dont need surgery ASAP. Sometimes Physical Therapy can help by doing extension exercises and other strenghtening exercises. You can also try the Chiropractor.

Answer 2

The er is more than likely going to treat thee pain and refer you to your family doctor for surgeon referal.According to your report and not seeing the actual images i would say that you have a herniated disc between L4 and L5 and it is showing to be bulging out on the right side of the disc.The term protrusion and extrsion are just terms that doctors use to indicate a herniation.It also hows that the buldge is hitting or growing into the nerve on the right side of the L5 disc.You also have a disc bulge at the L5 S1 which is your lower disc and the buldge is going into the spinal root which is a main nerve.Surgery is an option but i would recommend holding off as long as possible.The L5 S1 is a hard one to fix with it being so low on the back.Most that have surgery of this nature end up totally disabled within 4 or 5 years(not to say all will but alot do).If you can get to a Health nutrition store such as gnc,you may want to consider getting a drug that contains shark oil.Shark oil helps to stiffen the disc and will aid in the recovery of it alot quicker than anything else.Sharks produce and recover from wounds approximately 7 times faster than humans and this works maricles.Most doctors will not mention this because they want your money so be aware and always get a second and sometimes a third opinion on something of this nature.

This is just a little advice for you and is not intended to replace what your doctor may tell you.I am not a doctor but have worked around the medical field.

I have tried the shark oil for myself and i would have to say that it does wonders.3 years ago I was told by a surgeon that surgery was my only hope for a severe pain in my back.It was at L5 S1 also and i would have days that i could not even stand up or walk.A friend brought me some shark oil medicine and asked me to give it a try.A week later ,I was up walking and now i run 911 calls on the ambulance and do alot of physical work.I still have days that it hurts but I stay active and feel pretty good most of the time.

good luck and god bless

Answer 3

In a nutshell you have significant damage to two discs in your lower back. Both your L4-5 and L5-S1 disc are herniated. In both cases the disc is deformed and pressing on nerves that run along your spine (impinging).
While this can be very painfull and greatly reduce your mobility, it is not a life-threatening condition. Back surgery is viewed as "elective" surgery so an ER won't keep you.
You need to get a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon on your case. Discs do not "regenerete" or fix themselves. If I were you I would look into having the problematic discs replaced. There is a surgical procedure that removes the damaged discs and puts in Titanium inserts in their place. I would recommend this for you because statistically your chances of having a successfull discodectomy is very low. the percentage of success gets lower with each surgery.
I hope i've clarified things a bit for you.

Answer 4

You have impingement on the nerve roots. That won't go away on its own. You should see a surgeon but as far as "asap" I'd go by how you feel and what the surgeon says. You can always have surgery later.

Answer 5

You might need surgery eventually. But there was no need to keep you and do a STAT surgery. Impingements, protrusions, etc.. are a common back problems and doesn't call for immediate surgery.

Answer 6

You are suffering from Calcium deposits in the spinal column....what kind of calcium intake do you have? Often, insufficient calcium intake causes body to remove calcium from bones and teeth, too much so, and it deposits in all kinds of bad places.
You will need surgery to knock off these "spurs" to free up the nerve path. Emergency...no, but probably sooner than later, as nerve damage will happen if you allow this to continue. See a neurologists soon.

Answer 7

you probably want to get your old records and take them to a new surgeon in the area you are at now. if for nothing at all other than a consultation. sounds like your Si is psychotic and giving you a lot of problems. and no i think the emergency rooms usually just try to alleviated your pain and send you home until you can make an appointment, they should have referred you to a doc that can answer your questions.

Answer 8

Follow up with a neurosurgeon or pain management doctor. The injuries are not life-threatening, so there was no need to keep you in the ER.

Answer 9

i agree with diagnosis but treatment is variable, chiropractor may help, shark oil and back doc should do the trick but if you need surgery then cadaver discs is the way!