Need a new search?
If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search!
-
AuthorSearch Results
-
#6061Topic: Edema L4 L5, Annular Tears in forum BACK PAIN |
Dear Dr Corenman,
I have just discovered your wonderful website and your location.. I live in Denver.I am an RN of 31 years, injured on the job 11/10, now I am being told I have arthritis and there is nothing more they are responsible for.
I still have significant symptoms , improvement for a short time after 2 RFs. Low back pain that radiates to vice like pain in hips and thighs, which I take norco 10 TID, occasionally dilaudid. I was very active prior to the incidence and if I even try to be that active now, am laid up in incredible pain for days. I do excercise about 6-7 hours a week with meds. I am unable to work – cant sit or stand for long periods.
My Mri 11/10 showed edema in paraspinal musculature at the L4 L5
L2-L3 annular ter and shallow L posterolateral disc protursion
L3-L4 disc bulge mild canal narrowing L greater tha R lateral recess narrowing
L5-S1 Annular tear w no associated disc herniationthere is heterogeneous T2/STIR hyperintensity withing the paraspinal musculature at the L4- L5 levels, charateristic of edema
I have been told that basically I had an injury that is healed and I am not dealing w degenerative processes
Do you think the injury can cause the extended pain Ive been experiencing?
I am most grateful for your reply
#6059 In reply to: numbness in left leg and no reflexis in left leg |I am not a fan of lumbar disc replacements for this reason. The artificial disc allows motion that is not natural and can place stress on the facets. The nerve root can get “caught” in the foramen by aberrant motion and cause leg pain.
How long has this disc been present? Did the symptoms start immediately after the disc placement? Was the placement of the disc replacement between the vertebra acceptable or off center? Has this disc replacement recessed into the vertebral body? Was a CT scan performed to determine the placement after surgery when symptoms first started? Were flexion/extension and lateral bending X-rays taken to determine the function of the disc? Has the rest of the spine been imaged to determine if another level of the lumbar spine could be involved?
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.#6025 In reply to: ABOUT BONE SPURS |Thank you Dr Corneman I appreciate you reviewing my MRI, I was wondering if I never ever in my life had any symptoms from any of these disk changes and you mentioned that they probably werent caused from a small fall ,I stummbled more then anything nothing else injured on the left palm of my hand , is it possible that the symptoms I am dealing with could not be related to the disks and caused by something else I am dealing with, the symptoms I am dealing with are alot of stiffness , bone pain , muscle tightness as it on my neck, even my face muscles and jaw muscles are tight, my leg muscles are also tight, I dont have any shooting pains , more stiffness and tension muscles and bone pain , even my hands are effected by my fingers feeling broken,weak bones feeling, cant feel texture anywhere on my body , I was given a perscribtion was on it very short term and only after coming off this medication abrubly I started to have all tehse symptoms , I never experienced any of these symptoms ever in my life prior to coming off that medication, so I am trying to be sure 100% that theres nothing else causing these symptoms other then coming off a medication, and wanted to rule any other possibilites .
#6023 In reply to: ABOUT BONE SPURS |THIS IS THE RECENT MRI DONE FEBRUARY 12 2012
There is a mild scoliosis of the cervicothoracic junction convex to the left ..
At C2/3,there is mild disc bulging.
At C2/4 and C4/5,there is mildmild central disc bulging and minor osteophyte indenting the thecal sac.
At C5/6,there is diffuse disc bulging and osteophyte,more prominent centrally .
At C6/7,the disc is unremarkable.
At C7/T1,there is very mild disc bulging and minor osteophyte,
There has been some interval loss of height with depression of the superior endplates of T1 and T2.There is also mild depression of the superior endplate of T3.These findings appear non-acute.
No cervical disc herniation or spinal stenosis is demonstrated.
There has been some interval loss of height with depression of the central canal of the spinal cord which measures up to 2 to 3 mm in diameter over a length of approx. 3 cm at the C5 and C6 levels. The appeaance is consistant with a prominent central canal or possibly a tiny syrinx . This appears stable taking into account differeence in technique.
The Cervical spinal cord is otherwise within normal limits in signal intensity . No evidence of cervical cord demyelination is seen. The cerebellar tonsils are normally located.Impression….Mild degenerative chnge as described. Mild Scollosis of the cervicothoracic junction convex to the left. Focal prominence of the central canal verses tiny syrinx at the C5 and C6 levels. This apperas stable back 2005 taking into account difference in technique.
Interval development of some loss of height involving upper thoracic vertebrae , mainly involving the superior endplates. This may be related to insufficiency fractures . I s there a history of significant trama or osteoporosis ? correlation with bone moneral densitometry may be helpful.RECENT BRAIN MRI DONE IN JUNE 2012
BRAIN MRI JUNE 2012…..Findings;
There is NO Interacranial mass lession,edma or midline shift. NO abnormal T2 or FLAIR signal is present within the white matter.There is NO restricted diffusion or abnormal susceptibility.
The Craniocervical junction, posterior fossa and internal auditory canals are NORMAL. Normal intracranial flow voids are evident.
The visualized oortions of the orbits,paranasal sinuses,and mastoid air cells are NORMAL.
CONCLUSION:
NO acute intracranial abnormality with NO abnormal white matter signal.
I was wondering if at all possible a small fall could of caused these disk bulging or any of these disk problems, I had a stummble in November last year , I landed on my knees and caught my fall by my hands , I had no injury other then the palm of my hand was swollen and brusied for a week , and just felt tender for a little while, but no other injury, I had a MRI done in 2005 and I had no disk bulges, the syrinx was d/x in 2005, I had 2 MRI 6mths apart and there was a small change , it said it was smaller. Never ever had symptoms . But I was given a medication that gave me a toxic reaction and I started to have burning all over my body, and recently alot of bone pain that comes and goes , and muscle pain that comes and goes , just want to rule everything out. I was looking at my axial image of my MRI that area in the center where it looks like a white ring around it seems to be intact with no breakage do that mean theres no disk inside the spinal cord. , I also was wondering if there is a way that you could look at my MRI images and give me your expert opinion. Thank you very much
Sincerly
Laura#6020Topic: MRI REPORT in forum READING X-RAY, MRI & CT SCAN |I was wondering if you can read my MRI report please, and tell me if theres can be any symptoms as a result of this report…
THIS IS THE RECENT MRI DONE FEBRUARY 12 2012
There is a mild scoliosis of the cervicothoracic junction convex to the left ..
At C2/3,there is mild disc bulging.
At C2/4 and C4/5,there is mildmild central disc bulging and minor osteophyte indenting the thecal sac.
At C5/6,there is diffuse disc bulging and osteophyte,more prominent centrally .
At C6/7,the disc is unremarkable.
At C7/T1,there is very mild disc bulging and minor osteophyte,
There has been some interval loss of height with depression of the superior endplates of T1 and T2.There is also mild depression of the superior endplate of T3.These findings appear non-acute.
No cervical disc herniation or spinal stenosis is demonstrated.
There has been some interval loss of height with depression of the central canal of the spinal cord which measures up to 2 to 3 mm in diameter over a length of approx. 3 cm at the C5 and C6 levels. The appeaance is consistant with a prominent central canal or possibly a tiny syrinx . This appears stable taking into account differeence in technique.
The Cervical spinal cord is otherwise within normal limits in signal intensity . No evidence of cervical cord demyelination is seen. The cerebellar tonsils are normally located.Impression….Mild degenerative chnge as described. Mild Scollosis of the cervicothoracic junction convex to the left. Focal prominence of the central canal verses tiny syrinx at the C5 and C6 levels. This apperas stable back 2005 taking into account difference in technique.
Interval development of some loss of height involving upper thoracic vertebrae , mainly involving the superior endplates. This may be related to insufficiency fractures . I s there a history of significant trama or osteoporosis ? correlation with bone moneral densitometry may be helpful.RECENT BRAIN MRI DONE IN JUNE 2012
BRAIN MRI JUNE 2012…..Findings;
There is NO Interacranial mass lession,edma or midline shift. NO abnormal T2 or FLAIR signal is present within the white matter.There is NO restricted diffusion or abnormal susceptibility.
The Craniocervical junction, posterior fossa and internal auditory canals are NORMAL. Normal intracranial flow voids are evident.
The visualized oortions of the orbits,paranasal sinuses,and mastoid air cells are NORMAL.
CONCLUSION:
NO acute intracranial abnormality with NO abnormal white matter signal.
I was wondering if at all possible a small fall could of caused these disk bulging or any of these disk problems, I had a stummble in November last year , I landed on my knees and caught my fall by my hands , I had no injury other then the palm of my hand was swollen and brusied for a week , and just felt tender for a little while, but no other injury, I had a MRI done in 2005 and I had no disk bulges, the syrinx was d/x in 2005, I had 2 MRI 6mths apart and there was a small change , it said it was smaller. Never ever had symptoms . But I was given a medication that gave me a toxic reaction and I started to have burning all over my body, and recently alot of bone pain that comes and goes , and muscle pain that comes and goes , just want to rule everything out. I was looking at my axial image of my MRI that area in the center where it looks like a white ring around it seems to be intact with no breakage do that mean theres no disk inside the spinal cord. , I also was wondering if there is a way that you could look at my MRI images and give me your expert opinion. Thank you very much
#6010 In reply to: Spine ergonomics |Do not worry about the progressive nature of degenerative disc disease. In general, it is really not under your control regarding the degenerative process. You can however control the amount of flair-ups you experience and strengthen your back to manage the day to day discomfort. The good news is that studies indicate that over time (years) the pain can lessen and become more manageable. Unfortunately, this does not happen to everyone.
Loading the discs in symptomatic degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs with some forward flexion (bending forward or lifting). If your facets are not painful, some extension (bending backwards) unloads the discs and loads the facets. This is why a lumbar roll can be effective at work or in the car. This roll extends the spine while sitting which loads the facets.
Sleeping is dependent upon a number of factors. A firm mattress with a “pillow top” is generally the most effective to prevent night pain. You don’t want a soft mattress that allows the spine to “slump”. Sleeping on the side especially in the fetal position, with a pillow between the knees can be effective. Sleeping on your back with 3-4 pillows under the knees can also reduce night pain. If you sleep on your stomach, this generally extends the spine and even with DDD, can be uncomfortable. A pillow under the belly can solve this discomfort.
Sitting for long periods can cause increased symptoms. There are three answers to this. The first is a “Balans” kneeling chair. This chair causes pressure to be borne by the knees and extends the spine. The second is an exercise ball chair. This chair uses an exercise ball on wheels that allows shifting of position. It is great to work on core while sitting and the position changes can be helpful with back pain. The third is a adjustable height office desk. This desk can switch from a standing position to a sitting position which is helpful for patients that need relief with change of position.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books. -
AuthorSearch Results
