Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Magnetic resonance imaging indicates degenerated discs between lumbar 4 and 5. I have pain that has been progressing rapidly over the last 2 to 3 months. In addition, I have scoliosis, where almost the entire curve starts in the same segment. That is, lumbar 4 is tilted may be 10 to 15 degrees compared to lumbar 5. What are my options?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Considering all the clinical findings, I think there are only two options. The first and preferable option would be to do only discectomy with facet blocks, and the other is long segment fixation due to scoliosis. Short-segment fixation may be more detrimental and may cause rapid adjacent-segment changes.
I hope this has helped you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Do you believe a discectomy alone would be sufficient for long-term symptom remission? Do you think the symptoms are caused by the disk bulging into the spinal cord? By facet blocks, are you referring to facet joint injections? If so, would I need these continuously or only for recovery?
Please guide.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It might be difficult to conclude precisely without seeing you clinically and without looking at all the images of magnetic resonance imaging. But it seems that you may have predominant back pain that is more likely due to scoliosis and facet arthropathy secondary to that. If the radicular symptoms are there, then the disc would be the problem, in which case, discectomy alone may help. Facet block and radiofrequency ablation can provide long-term benefits, provided there is no instability or progression of scoliotic arthropathy.
I hope this has helped you.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
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