MRI lumbar spine
April 25, 2012 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Hendrik Bernau
Hello,
my husband has been experiencing back pain with radiation in his leg for 6 weeks. The doctor has only recommended acupuncture. Unfortunately, after 10 treatments, my husband still has pain. MRI: inconspicuous. What could you recommend? Maybe get a referral to a rheumatologist? A few years ago, my husband already had an MRI. At that time, the finding was different: medial incomplete tear of the dorsal anulus fibrosus L5/S1. Could it be that he no longer has a tear now? And what do you recommend? Could you possibly look at and evaluate the MRI images? Thank you very much.
Dear questioner,
Despite undergoing acupuncture treatment, your husband has been complaining of persistent back pain for some time now, and an MRI scan did not show any abnormalities.
What strikes me in your description is the diagnosis from the previous MRI scan. This could actually be a reason for the ongoing pain:
Due to compression and irritation of the spinal nerves L5 and S1, whose nerve roots form the so-called "lumbar plexus," parts of the sciatic nerve ("sciatic nerve"), the longest and thickest nerve in humans, are affected. The distribution area of the sciatic nerve is the back of the entire leg and foot. Pressure on the nerve often leads to pain in the nerve's distribution area ("sciatica"), sensory disturbances (numbness, tingling), and even paralysis (heel or toe drop).
Therefore, my advice to you:
1. If your husband has not yet been treated by an orthopedic specialist, make sure to schedule an appointment with one.
2. Explain to your treating physician that the current therapy has shown little to no success, and that a different treatment approach should be considered.
3. Was the (new) MRI scan assessed by your treating physician or by the radiologist at the hospital where it was conducted? It is important to provide the medical history (and possibly the first MRI scan showing a tear in the annulus fibrosus) so that the treating colleague can have a clear understanding of the situation and potentially re-examine the affected area using imaging techniques.
I hope I have been able to assist you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.
I wish your husband and you good health.
Best regards,
Dr. med. - anonymized -
