Question
I would like to ask your opinion about MRI results for my son. He is 20 yrs old and is currently having lower back pain going down to his left leg. He had a MRI done and here are the results:
There is straightening of the normal lumbar lordosis. Vertebral body heights and marrow signal characterisctics are preserved. The conus terminates at T12-L1. Moderate disc desiccation and mild reduction dis pattern noted from L2-L3 through L5-S1. Mild coliosis is present.
At L2-L3 there is disc bulging of a small left paracentral protrusion producing mild left L3 root contact at the lateral recess level. No central stenosis or significant neural foraminal encroachment is present. Similar changes are noted at L3-L4 with a left paracentral protrusion producing mild left L4 root impingement at the lateral recess level. Again no definite central stenosis is present.
At L4-L5, broad based central disc protrusion producing mild central stenosis and minimal bilateral L5 root impingemnt atthe lateral recess levels is noted without significant neural foraminal enroachment.
At L5-S1, there is mild central disc bulging without protrusion,stenosis or direct nerve root compression. The neural foramina are patent and the paraspinal soft tissues are intact. No definite spondylolysis is present.
He was told to see a neurosurgeon. I wanted to get some help with this before we saw a surgeon.
Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Barbie,

Your son is too young to have permanant disability associated with spinal surgery. Fortunately he doesn't need surgry, flexion/distraction is proven effective for these cases.

Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?


Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis
Spondylolisthesis
Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions?
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59

Physicians can be found locally through this site or google flexion/distraction and your town.

http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp


He is very young to have multi-level failures in his discs. I would strongly recommend he take 3000mg/day of glucosamine sulfate with MSM to stregnthen the fibers and connective tissues associated with maintaining disc health.
If you have difficulty locating a physician, I can personally help you.


Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com