T1W, T2W, STIR and axial T2W were accquired. Last infused vertebra is taken as L5.
Conus medullaris appears normal and ends at L1.
There is degenartion and buldging of the L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1 discs. The other intrvertebral dics are unrearkable. At L3/4 and L4/5, there are small postero-lateral disc herniations encroching on the left lateral recesses. At L5/S1, there is a moderate-sized right paracentral disc herniation causing impingement on the tecal sac and the existing right S1 nerve root.
2007-08-25 00:25:24 · 3 answers · asked by SDisc 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
It will be a Microdiscectomy (microdecompression) spine surgery. That will take place on Sep 8 2007.
I believe that if I may nick the problem now then I should rather than let it worsen or try other means. Further, insurance will cover the surgery in my current employment (which is not stable). I fear not being able to afford the procedure if I were to leave the current company.
Are there major risk? I will check with the doctor too.
2007-08-27 15:27:52 · update #1
I researched here too:- http://www.spine-health.com/topics/surg/overview/lumbar/lumb03.html
2007-08-27 15:31:16 · update #2
You're going to have to have an orthopedic surgeon evaluate these findings and determine if and what type of surgery is needed. I would recommend you get at least two different opinions.
2007-08-25 00:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yahoo answers isn't the place to find a second opinion... see a (or another, who was it that diagnosed you?) NEUROSURGEON NOT a orthopedic doc! Otho's are great, don't get me wrong but when you are messing around with the spine and impinged nerves you want a neurosurgeon! What has the doctor that dx'ed you said?
I have a very similar dx, degeneration and herniation of L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1 nerve roots @ S1, L4 and others yet to be determined by a nerve conduction study (dx'ed with myleogram *shudders*) impinged. (C5/C6 also, working on getting an MRI there) The neuros refuse to do surgery as it's too risky for a bad outcome right now.
If the only nerve impingement is at S1 it depends on what kind of problems it's causing as well as how severe the herniation is and the risk of permanent nerve damage. Have you tried steroid epidurals to shrink the swelling around the impinged nerves? I'd defiantly go for a conservative approach before even considering surgery. Physical therapy, meds, and epidurals.
Good luck.
2007-08-25 15:35:49 · answer #2 · answered by dibzz d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask the doctor what he recommends. then ask a 2nd and 3rd doctor what they recommend. good luck.
2007-08-25 07:33:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋