Need info on explaining results of mri
 

Hello people,

would someone explain the following results in an mri.....

MRI - Lumbar spine

1. small right lateral disc protrusion is seen at L2- with apparent encrouchment upon the exiting right L2 nerve root and ganglion.

2. right far lateral disc bulge is seen at L3-4 which appears to touch the exiting right l3 nerve root and ganglion as well.

any info is helpful

Welcome to Neurotalk--
 

--and it sounds like, from the MRI, there is compression of at least two nerve roots. These are the first nerves that go from their spinal cord connections to the rest of the body--in the case of lumbar roots, into the legs and feet--and compression of these can certainly cause pain/parastheses (abnormal sensations--tingling, shoots, what have your) in a number of places in your back and lower limbs.

You nerve root encroachment is apparently due to nice size disc bulges, which is rather common--but at least it does not seem as if the discs are herniated yet; that is, that they have burst at some spot and spilled their jelly-like material into the spinal canal areas.

Both disc bulges and herniations can heal over time, but what kind of treatment you should get may well depend on what your symptoms are. Do you have pain, and/or parastheses, and or motor/problems (weakness, stumbling)? Generally, surgery is not indicated unless more conservative methods fail to relieve symptoms, or there is major motor or autonjomic (bladder/large intestinal/rectal) compromise.

You should likely post on our Spinal Disorders forum for some of the expertise there:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

maybe some of these will help you also-

http://www.southeasternspine.com/ima...inediagram.jpg

http://www.nsnet.org/cpans/spine.gif

http://www.sci-recovery.org/images/dermatomes.jpg

http://adirondackchiropracticcenter...._diagram_3.jpg

http://www.calhealthcenter.com/images/nerve_chart2.jpg

Welcome

I see you've had some good help from others.

This is a great place to ask questions and get support.

Keep in touch...