HomeAnswersOrthopedician and Traumatologyleg painI had unbearable leg pain a few months back and took an MRI scan showing mild posterior disk bulges. Please review the MRI scan and suggest your opinion.

What do the mild posterior disk bulges on the MRI indicate?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Anuj Nigam

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At November 28, 2022
Reviewed AtSeptember 1, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I had severe leg pain, and it started a few months back. The pain is increasing day by day, and now I think it has reached a peak level that I cannot bear it. So I took an MRI scan.

The result says the following.

  1. Loss of lordosis.
  2. Minimal posterior disk bulge at L3 to L4 level indenting the thecal sac.
  3. Mild posterior disk bulges at L4 to L5 and L5 to S1 levels compromising bilateral neural foramina indenting bilateral traversing nerve roots.
  4. The rest of the Intervertebral disks are normal. No significant disk bulge or herniation.
  5. Vertebral bodies and appendages are normal.
  6. Thecal sac appears normal.
  7. Conus shows normal signals.
  8. Both Sacroiliac joints appear normal.
  9. Paravertebral soft tissue appears normal.

Please review the report and suggest your opinion.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Nigam

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern. I reviewed your reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), and I suppose it is severe slip-disk pain radiating to your lower limbs. The disk acts as a shock absorber between your vertebrae (spine bones). Over time, due to heavy weight lifting or a constant sitting job, these disks start to move out of the spaces between two vertebrae and press over the nerves just behind your spine. As per your MRI reports, you have a disk compressing your nerves supplying the legs. That is why you are having such symptoms. Although you might be having tingling or numbness in the leg and may not be able to stand for a long time or walk for long distances, if it is not, then you will have it in the future if your condition is not treated in time.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Anuj Nigam
Dr. Anuj Nigam

Orthopedician and Traumatology

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