Question 1

1wk post lumbar  l4 and l5 back surgery.  today  dark urin and dark vomit... both coffee color.  sore swollen belly.  what could it be.

Accepted Answer

Stomach bleed: Please get to be seen immediately by the family dr. Or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.  You need to be treated for a possible stomach ulcer with bleed especially if you have been taking anti inflammatory medications or it could be a stress ulcer.

Question 2

what is a bilateral lumbar mbb l4 and l5 procedure?

Accepted Answer

Medial branch block: Mbb stands for medial branch block.  The medial branch is a small branch of the spinal nerves that supplies sensation to the facet joints, which are the joints in the back of the spine.  L4 and L5 refer to the specific spinal nerves in the lower back (lumbar spine).  Likely this procedure would be performed for somebody with pain due to facet joint arthritis at l5-s1 on both sides (bilateral).

Question 3

lumbar mri results. l4-l5 and l5-s1 references the mid sagitall dimension of thecal sac as 14 mm at each level.  is that a normal measurement?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that: is within the normal range.

Question 4

is thecal sac impingement at l4-l5 the same as lumbar stenosis?

Accepted Answer

: Lumbar Stenosis refers generally to narrowing of the lumbosacral cistern at several levels.  An L4-5 "thecal sac impingement" refers to a solitary level disc protrusion or herniation, large enough to contact the thecal sac and perhaps deform the contours.

Question 5

why would 5mm retrolisthesis at l4/l5 be seen on 1 lumbar xray and not another months later, or another 2 years later? does retrolistesis heal?

Accepted Answer

Movement possible: Spondylolisthesis is when vertebrae move relative to each other. So it's possible to see it on one film &amp;not another. Also 5mm is small amount &amp;one radiologist may see it (or think she sees it) &amp;other may not. Some minor findings are in eye of the beholder. Sounds like spine has been stable; should be reassuring. Be careful of focusing on spine too much. Can lead to more pain &amp;unneeded procedures.

Question 6

i'm a 21-year-old with lumbar disc prolapse (l4-l5). how can i strengthen my back?

Accepted Answer

Core exercises: Most physical therapists and fitness trainers recommend lumbar traction, stretching, and strengthening of the core muscles (in the back and abdominal regions) to help improve the symptoms of lumbar sciatica and disc prolapse. Avoid dead-lifts, squats, and lifting very heavy weights. Instead, focus on more reps and good form during exercise.

Question 7

what to do about impression multilevel lumbar spondylosis with broad based central disc protrusion l4-l5?

Accepted Answer

Spine Pain Options: This chronic pain in the distribution as you suggested is the result of an irritated nerve or facet joints or other injury typically in the lumbar spine (low back) which are caused by herniated disks, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease,  etc requiring further evaluation by a spine specialist and may be candidate for facet injections/radiofrequency ablation and epidural steroid injection.

Question 8

lumbar lordotic curvature is reduced. loss of t2wi hyperintensity is seen at l4-5 & l5-s1 disc levels suggestive of desiccative disc change. ?

Accepted Answer

Degenerative disc: As we age we do develop gradual degenerative disc disease, a "wear and tear", and not unique to see desiccation or drying out of disc structure, which can shrink.  This is NOT an indication for either surgery or injections, and best handled by good nutrition, sleep, and exercise.  If you have low back pain, a physical therapy program can benefit.

Question 9

how much will i decrease in height after a l4/l5 & l5/s1 lumbar discectomy?

Accepted Answer

Probably not much: Modern diskectomy only removes the part of the disk that is ruptured (herniated, slipped) and a small amount  of the disk in the area of the rupture. Virtually disks that rupture are already degenerating, so some height loss has already occurred before surgery. If more height is lost, it is due to continued degeneration and aging.

Question 10

degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with moderately severe narrowing of l4 l5 neural foramina?

Accepted Answer

Spine degeneration: You may already know this, but degeneration simply refers to aging changes in the spine which occur in all of us - disc narrowing and dessication, spinal joint arthritis, bone spurs, etc.  The significance of narrowed foramina (also caused by aging changes) is that nerves can get pinched in the area of narrowing, and pinched nerves can result in leg pain.  Talk to your doc about treatment options.

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Doctor answers about:

Lumbar l4 and l5

A member asked:

1wk post lumbar l4 and l5 back surgery. today dark urin and dark vomit... both coffee color. sore swollen belly. what could it be.

A member asked:

What is a bilateral lumbar mbb l4 and l5 procedure?

A member asked:

Lumbar mri results. l4-l5 and l5-s1 references the mid sagitall dimension of thecal sac as 14 mm at each level. is that a normal measurement?

A member asked:

Is thecal sac impingement at l4-l5 the same as lumbar stenosis?

A member asked:

Why would 5mm retrolisthesis at l4/l5 be seen on 1 lumbar xray and not another months later, or another 2 years later? does retrolistesis heal?

A member asked:

I'm a 21-year-old with lumbar disc prolapse (l4-l5). how can i strengthen my back?

A member asked:

What to do about impression multilevel lumbar spondylosis with broad based central disc protrusion l4-l5?

A member asked:

Lumbar lordotic curvature is reduced. loss of t2wi hyperintensity is seen at l4-5 & l5-s1 disc levels suggestive of desiccative disc change. ?

A member asked:

How much will i decrease in height after a l4/l5 & l5/s1 lumbar discectomy?

A member asked:

Degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with moderately severe narrowing of l4 l5 neural foramina?

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