L4 and L5 are the last two vertebrae in your back before you hit your tailbone.
To fuse them, the surgeon will physically break the bones and put bone graft over them (bone graft can be from a bone bank or harvested from the patient's ribs or hip bone). When the bone heals, the graft will become part of the vertebrae, making the two vertebrae one solid bone.
Because bone takes about six months to heal, the surgeon will secure the fusion with titanium rods and screws to hold it in place until the fusion takes.
After the bone is fused, there is no need for the metal hardware. However, because the metal hardware is harmless, it won't be removed unless there are complications.
what is mutilevel dissication. l3 andl4 l4 and l5 l5 and s1
Posterior means "rear" - Anterior means "front. What the report is saying is that the L5/S1 disk is herniated at the back of the disk (posterior) and is impinging on the front of the spinal cord as a result. This is very common for that particular disk, as well as the L4/5 disk.
Posterior means "rear" - Anterior means "front. What the report is saying is that the L5/S1 disk is herniated at the back of the disk (posterior) and is impinging on the front of the spinal cord as a result. This is very common for that particular disk, as well as the L4/5 disk.
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 the radiology report indicates is that you've got a herniated disk at the L4/5 vertebrae, which is pressing forward into the spinal cord passageway. The foramen is the narrow passage in the vertebrae where the spinal cord runs through.
They could be several things. Many different systems use an alphanumerical combination to record and file thinsg, and the terms L4 and L5 can refer to some specific things depending on what field you work in. Examples commonly used are the lumbar verebrae L4 and L5 in anatomy, and the LaGrangian points L4 and L5 in astronomy. The lumbar vertibrae L4 and L5 are the sciatic region of the back and are the most common area of disk compression failure, leading to chronic sciatica and other lower body nerve compromise.
Grade 1 degenerative anterolisthesis of L4 on L5 refers to a condition where the vertebra at the L4 level has shifted forward in relation to the L5 vertebra due to degenerative changes. Degenerative disc space narrowing and facet arthrosis at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels indicate wear and tear of the intervertebral discs and facet joints in the lower lumbar spine. Resultant canal stenosis and neural foraminal narrowing at L4-L5 suggest compression of the spinal canal and nerve roots at the L4-L5 level, potentially leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back and legs.
Whether a fusion is needed after a laminectomy at L4-L5 depends on various factors, including the extent of the surgery, the stability of the spine, and the specific condition being treated. In some cases, a laminectomy can lead to spinal instability, especially if significant bone or tissue is removed. Your surgeon will evaluate your individual situation and may recommend fusion if they believe it will provide better long-term stability and support for your spine. It's important to discuss your specific case with your healthcare provider for tailored advice.
Encroachment: Taking up space to which it's not entitled.ventral: belly sidesubarachnoid space: the area just under the membranes surrounding the spineL4-L5: the space between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae.So, to sum up, something (probably a herniated disk?) is taking up space on the belly side of the spinal cord between L4 and L5. It's not pressing the cord, but it is crowding the space between the spinal cord and the surrounding membrane.
Nerve root clumping is usually indicative of arachnoiditis, a painful, progressive spinal condition. Please research arachnoiditis.
In rare instances, such as a spinal fluid blockage in the middle of the back, a doctor may perform a spinal tap in the neck.
The findings indicate that the L4-L5 intervertebral disk is moderately narrowed and dehydrated, which can lead to decreased cushioning between the vertebrae. This condition is associated with mild canal stenosis, meaning there is some narrowing of the spinal canal that could potentially compress nearby nerves. Additionally, the presence of protruding disk material, ligamentous thickening, and facet joint overgrowth suggests degenerative changes that may contribute to back pain or nerve irritation. Overall, these findings are characteristic of age-related spinal degeneration.