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Try to picture this... The weight of the body is borne on your spine: The vertebra are the main weight-bearing structures, but there are bones on the back portion of each vertebrae, and these posts meet with the posts of the vertebra above & below and support part of the your weight, and are called facet joints... Your spinal nerves run down the posterior (back) portion in the tunnel caused by the way these bony structures meet. The individual nerves that have to exit the spinal column do so between the vertebra and these posterior posts, then run to the part of the body they affect. When you run your fingers down the middle of someone's back, you will feel structures called the posterior spinous process: these help make up the roof over the spinal cord area. These are connected to the posts These facets are actually joints and help support you as you twist, turn, bend, and reach upward. As joints they are subject to Arthritis, which is where the body will begin adding extra bone to make these facet-joints stronger, but also larger. As the spinal disks (shock-absorbers between veterbrae) flatten over the years this begins to cause more of a 'bone-on-bone' pressure of the edges of each vertebrae, which in turn, begins causing the body to treat these 'bone-on-bone' areas like arthritis, leading to bone growth at the edges of each vetebrae. When this happens enough, primarily in the lumbar area, this bony growth of arthritis actually begins to bulge into the spinal cord area, making this smaller, which can begin to press on the spinal cord. If there is osteoporosis involved ( softening of the vertebral bones) the vertebra can collapse (like stepping on a marshmellow), causing even more bone to put pressure on the spinal cord. If this narrowing of the spinal cord area becomes great enough, the pressure can build up to the point that once it becomes greater than your blood pressure, your spinal cord nerves can begin to malfunction because they are not getting enough blood and oxygen, and you can lose total --or partial-- use of the nerves involved; if operated on early enough, the person recovers completely. If not, permanent damage will be present in various degrees. Thankfully, only 1-3% of people are allowed to get to this point. How to fix it? The orthopedic --or neurosurgeon-- removes a part of the back part of the involved vertebras, thus releasing the pressure on the spinal cord nerves. This is surgery called a laminectomy. Approximately 20% of people with this problem ever need surgery.
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What back injuries can be treated by spinal stenosis surgery?
Spinal stenosis is not back pain, but it can be a cause of back pain. Stenosis implies narrowing of the spinal canal because of thickened pedicles, or hypertrophied ligaments, or a disk bulge, or a tumor, etc. Sometimes this can cause pain if it aggravates pain-generating structures within or around the spinal canal.
What is broad bulge and mild facet hypertrophy of spine?
Broad bulge refers to a generalized protrusion of the intervertebral disc beyond its normal boundaries, which can compress nearby nerves or spinal structures. Mild facet hypertrophy indicates a slight enlargement or thickening of the facet joints, often due to age-related changes or degenerative conditions. Both conditions can contribute to spinal discomfort and may be associated with conditions like osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis. Treatment options typically focus on managing symptoms through physical therapy, pain management, or in some cases, surgery.
What does at l4 l5 broad based5 disc bulge and more prominent facet hypertrophyligamentous flavum hypertrophy?
A broad-based disc bulge at the L4-L5 level indicates that the intervertebral disc is protruding outward, which can potentially compress nearby nerves and contribute to lower back pain or radiculopathy. Facet hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of the facet joints, which can result from degeneration or arthritis, leading to further pain and reduced mobility. Ligamentous flavum hypertrophy involves thickening of the ligament that runs along the spine, which can also narrow the spinal canal and contribute to spinal stenosis. Together, these findings suggest degenerative changes in the lumbar spine that may require medical evaluation and management.
What is diffuse disc bulge with end plate hypertrophy?
A diffuse disc bulge with end plate hypertrophy refers to a condition in which the intervertebral disc protrudes outward uniformly across a broad area, potentially pressing on nearby spinal nerves. End plate hypertrophy indicates an increase in the thickness of the bony end plates of the vertebrae adjacent to the disc, often as a result of age-related degeneration or stress. This combination can lead to back pain, nerve compression, and other symptoms associated with spinal disorders. It is commonly observed in imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans.
What does L4-5 Annular bulge touching thecal sac resulting in moderate central stenosis with bilateral centrally located L5 neural abutment mean?
There's a bulge pushing through the ring holding the vertebral disk between L4 and L5. The bulge is narrowing the opening for the spinal cord somewhat, and is also touching both sides of the nerves coming off the spinal cord at L5.
What does L3-4Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing secondary to degenerative diffuse disc bulge and degenerative facet joints. No central canal spinal stenosis mean?
The phrase describes findings from an imaging study of the lumbar spine, specifically at the L3-L4 level. "Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing" indicates that the openings through which the spinal nerves exit the spine are narrowed on both sides, potentially causing nerve compression. This narrowing is attributed to a degenerative disc bulge and changes in the facet joints, which are part of the spinal structure. Importantly, "no central canal spinal stenosis" means that the central spinal canal, which houses the spinal cord, remains open and is not narrowed.
What is disk bulge with uncovertebral joint hyper trophy?
A disk bulge refers to a condition where the intervertebral disc extends beyond its normal boundaries, potentially pressing on nearby nerves. Uncovertebral joint hypertrophy involves the enlargement of the uncovertebral joints, which are located at the side of the cervical vertebrae and can contribute to spinal stenosis or nerve compression. Together, these conditions can lead to pain, stiffness, and neurological symptoms in the neck or arms. Treatment typically includes physical therapy, medication, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.
What does Bulge of disc material ligamentum flavum and facet hypertrophic change results in mild canal narrowing?
A bulge of disc material, along with ligamentum flavum thickening and facet joint hypertrophy, can contribute to mild spinal canal narrowing by encroaching on the space that the spinal cord and nerve roots occupy. This narrowing, known as spinal stenosis, can lead to compression of neural structures, potentially causing symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs. The combination of these factors often occurs due to age-related degeneration or mechanical stress on the spine. Treatment may involve physical therapy, pain management, or, in more severe cases, surgical intervention.
What is moderate central thecal sac effacement and mild bilateral foraminal stenosis?
Moderate central thecal sac effacement refers to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord in the center of the spinal canal, which may result in compression of the spinal cord. Mild bilateral foraminal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the openings through which spinal nerves exit the spinal canal on both sides, potentially causing compression of the nerve roots. Both conditions can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the affected areas of the body.
What does effacement of the left ventral thecal sac and possible minmal flattening of left central cervical spinal cord at c5-c6 Left framinal stenosis particularly proximal at this level mean?
Ventral means in front. Thecal sac means the sac that contain the spinal cord and cerebro spinal fluid. Effacement of the ventral thecal sac means pressure is upon the front of the sac (producing a flattening effect) most likely from a disc protrusion. Foramen means hole (where the nerve comes out of from the spinal cord). Stenosis means narrowing (usually from bony degeneration or disc herniation/protrusion/or bulge). Left foraminal stenosis means narrowing of the passageway where the nerve comes through.
What can disc desiccation and mild disc bulge resulting in narrowing of the spial canal?
Disc desiccation and a mild disc bulge can lead to the narrowing of the spinal canal, a condition known as spinal stenosis. This narrowing can put pressure on the spinal cord and nearby nerves, potentially causing symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the extremities. While often part of the aging process, these changes can also result from injury or degenerative diseases. Management may include physical therapy, medication, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.
Mild to moderate central canal stenosis at the c3-4 through c5-6 and mild ventral cord compression?
It's a big disk bulge that is pressing on the spinal cord. In addition the spinal canal, which is the space where the cord runs through, is narrowed. It's generally not a good situation and can require surgery if conservative treatment fails.
