L4-L5

[Destini895]

My daughter is 17 after giving birth she started having back and leg pain. We had an MRI done this is what is says.

L4-L5 there is a large 7mm central disk protrusion with 6mm caudal extension in the anterior epidural space and the protruding disk abuts the thecal sac at this level. No foraminal stenosis is noted.

At the  L5-S1 level there is mild degenerative disk disease, a 8mm central disk protrusion that abuts and deforms the thecal sac and the blateral S1 nerve roots in the lateral recesses bilaterally. There is mild bilateral foraminal stenosis with moderate spinal stenosis and an AP diameter of 9mm the spinal canal.

What does this mean she is in alot of pain.

[sunnie1969]

My daughter is 16 years old and has been in competitive  cheerleading for the past 5 to 6 years. She had back pain on and off for 2 to 3 years. We had to go to a dr due to her IT band and bursitis in her hip. She was sent to therapy where they found she had left side weakness and that she was having numbness in both of her legs with pain that was starting to go to her knee. She was then sent back to the doctor the next day and he also found she had left side weakness and numbness  in both legs and pain to her knee and ordered and MRI for the next day. We had the MRI done and received a call from the dr stating she had to see a back surgeon due to the findings. The Dr. found that she has L-5/S-1 extruded disc on both sides Dr. told me this and I call it ruptured since the dr explained her disc has a hole in it and everything that was in the disk is now outside it. Dr showed us the mro and her disk is flat on both sides.  She had a nerve block last month and we found for the first 3-4 days she was in more pain and we found she is allergic to hydrocodone. The dr stated this could happen and it looked like the nerve block did not work for her. He did give her low dose pain pills. She is now having surgery this month. I have spoken with dr as one of my concerns was her age and taking pain pills and if this did not work what would happen?  

It is hard to watch your child in so much pain and not know really what to do but what you have been told. She was also told see could never go back to cheerleading or any competitive sport. This is hard for her as this has been her life with her friends and now she is in pain and has to make changes .

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

All the best then--she is in good hands!

[Destini895]

Thank you

We have her at a leading Children's hospital where they are doing a full comprehensive on her.They are saying basically what you just said. Thank you for your advice you do know what your talking about.

Sincerely,
Rebecca  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Well, your daughter is too young for this but she has disc bulges and narrowing of pathways through which spinal nerves travel. This causes pressure on the nerves. The treatment is a combination of pain killers, muscle relaxants, physiotherapy, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, weight loss and exercise. The pain can worsen after delivery and the treatment is usually conservative.
Maintaining a good posture goes a long way in overcoming this type of pain. She can wear a lumbar belt to give support to the back muscles while working. Physiotherapy should work to strengthen the back muscles.  Most women respond to this conservative treatment and are fine afterwards. Surgery is usually not required nor is helpful. However, please consult your doctor regarding this. Hope this helps. Take care!


The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.