MRI Lumbar Spine

Age: 50y GENDER: M

Examination: MRI Lumbar Spine
Protocol: Sagittal T1 T2 and Axial T1T2 sequences.

Loss of lumbar lordosis is noted. Schmmorl node is seen at L4 vertebra
L2/L3- diffuse disc bulge with mild thickening of yellow ligament is seen. No canal stenosis or facet arthropathy noted. The exit foraminae are clear
L3/L4- diffuse disc bulge which obliterates bilateral exit foraminae are seen. There is a 8mm canal stenosis with hypertrophy of the yellow ligament and mild facet joints arthtopathy
L4/L5- diffuse disc bulge noted with obliteration of both neroforaminal exists. No canal stenosis seen. The facet joints and yellow ligament are normal
L5/S1- diffuse disc bulge which partially obliterates bilateral exit foramina is noted. No canal stenosis noted. Mild thickening of yellow ligament is seen alongside with mild facet joint arthropathy
The spinal cord at the level of L3 shows altered signal s/o edema
Conus is at L1 and returns normal signal.

Impression:
L2/L3, L4/L5, L5/S1 diffuse disc bulge
L3/L4 diffuse disc bulge with 8mm canal stenosis

Thank you for your prompt reply. Sorry for the delay in getting back. Below is the details of the symptoms. Any support and suggestion will be highly appreciated. Many thanks.

Location and quality of pain

The pain radiate. It starts at the midline lower back and move to the right buttocks becoming more painful and then to the right thigh. At the same time lesser pain in the left buttocks and thing (sometime negligible) most of the time. It s move to the right calf.(rarely)
The pain most of the time aching and burning.
Yes depend on activity (if vigorous)
No skin hypersensitivity
No skin change etc.

Percentage of pain by location
30% back 70% buttocks and leg

Intensity of pain

Current Worst
Lower back 4 7
Buttock 5 7
leg 4 6

Weakness
Very little weakness with the pain (depending of intensity)
Weakness due more to neuropathic
A limp due to pain more
Sure certain activities are more problematic example climbing stairs, running, picking and lifting objects. (No walking due to foot drop or feet won’t push forward-here no problem)

Onset and length of time symptoms has been present
I had mild bulging of disc in 2009(L2, L3, L4, S1) with exercise and injections in vertebra, I was able to come to normal (walking and running etc only could not sprint regularly)
I use belt to do heavy duty like lifting heavy objects, mowing of grass..
But since Nov 2013 I have been playing football and pain started a little. I have to stop vigorous activity yet was able to jog etc and carry some heavy works (have to use belt)
On one occasion I forget to use belt and was mixing concrete and felt a pain
I continue with less vigorous activity like mowing of grass washing floor with karcher etc with belt. Pain accumulating little by little
Jan 4th have great difficulty to work with great back pain. Admitted in hospital putting weight for 4 days and on the 5th day had injection in vertebra
Since then heavy pain decrease, but could not walk for long distance (less than 100m)- back, then buttock pain grew harder and right leg burning more while left leg seemed heavy with little numbness
Activities
Now little pain but could not walk too much though a little more than 100m. Sometimes cannot stand for long. Even cannot sit for too long
Everyday I did exercise (stretching) well, feeling relief but after walking felt the pain though less sometimes at the lower back then to the right buttock more
When driving has to use belt, also when doing vigorous activity like cleaning yards
I am avoiding bike riding and all those vigorous activity as pain will increase
Neck pain no so affected with bending
Yes there is instability pain
No, daily function doesn’t go smoothly. The pain is mild but sometimes it grows
Pain interval
No, pain is always here (may be mild most of the day, but grows harder for a few moments)
Pain is always here as said mild most of the time. But with time and activity walking, standing, sitting too much pain increases sometimes burning a lot.

Activity and Occupation restriction
Yes
Yes
Yes (most of them, like jogging, cycling, power lifting)
I do some stretching exercise, use anti-inflammatory and sometimes using electric wave
I m a physical instructor (PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES)
Have to instruct and demonstrate the sport activities. Yes but is avoiding them
No
I was on vacation leave, but restart with restrictions demonstration, only instruction
For 1 month

Liabilities
No
No
Previous consultation or treatment
Putting l and injection (epidermal) in lower back in jan 2014
Not yet , but during 2010 when first got this problem have visited him 4 limes and . planning to visit him sooner
The surgeon say to have physiotherapy for a month and with diagnose further
No