Disc protrusions and neural canal narrowing - what can this mean?!
Question: Disc protrusions and neural canal narrowing - what can this mean!?
I got the results of my brain & spine scans yesterday and was told that I have a 'narrowing of the neural canal and several disc protrusions'!.
I'm at the specialist on Thursday to find out the extent of it etc but i'm just wondering, what does this mean for me!? Will I need operations!? How will it affect me long-term!? How could it have been caused!?
Thanks!Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm at the specialist on Thursday to find out the extent of it etc but i'm just wondering, what does this mean for me!? Will I need operations!? How will it affect me long-term!? How could it have been caused!?
Thanks!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Disk protrusions are also called herniated disks or ruptured disks!. The disks are filled with a jello like material that spills out into the surrounding area!. I assume you are having pain that warranted the scans!. Narrowing of the canal means the disks are pushing on the canal that houses the spinal nerves!. How it happens is all sorts of ways - overuse, heavy lifting, accidents, falls, genetics, hereditary!. It is fairly common!. I have them as well!. What is means for you depends on the extent of the protrusions!. You could get into an area where the disk bulges so much that it compresses the nerves around it!. What you want to watch out for is numbness and weakness in your legs and feet - if a disk bulges too much it can completely compress those nerves and render you unable to walk at all!. As far as surgery goes, that is a much debated issue!. I would avoid it if you can for as long as you can!. They have an official diagnosis for back surgery that fails "failed back syndrome;" that is how often it does not work!. Most doctors, unless the nerve damage is severe, will try other more conservative measures before surgical ones, like epidural injections, nerve blocks, physical therapy, and medications!. I would try those first before you go under the knife!. Now, I am sure you are going to see a million and one answers that tell you back surgery saved their life, etc!. etc!. but for every one person there are 20 who it ruined theirs!. Just my opinion, as someone who has lived with it for 14 years and worked in medical for over 10!. Feel free to email if you would like more information!. Good luck to you!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
These could be caused either by injury or could be hereditary!.Narrowing of the canal depending the extent there is not a whole lot you can do! Disc protrusions on the other hand is something they are getting much better at!. Surgery is an option but i would make it my last!. Go to www!.spinalaid!.com for another way you can go!. Good luck!!Www@Answer-Health@Com