Question 1

cracking painful and swollen joints, neck pain, spine pain and lumbar back pain. recently visited chiropractor who did xray severe disc degeneration, scoliosis, loss of lumbar and neck curvature etc. who is the best specialist to see?

Accepted Answer

: You might consider a rheumatologist or a physiatrist as the main physician.  One potential therapeutic approach is to start with physical therapy and proceed to an exercise program.  If you are quite stiff and uncomfortable, you might commence with an exercise program in a warm pool.

Question 2

i got a ct scan of my neck at the er, this is part of the results, what does this mean? multilevel disc dessication, moderate to severe loss of disc space height, disc osteophyte complex and facet hypertrophy most prominent at the c5 - c6 level?

Accepted Answer

: The CAT scan reveals wear and tear, which has accumulated over time.  There is degenerative disc disease, and the presence of cervical spondylosis, BUT NO mention of spinal cord compression or nerve root compromise.  There is no finding indicative of a surgical need, and depending upon symptoms, physical therapy would likely be useful.  Discuss treatment with your doctor.

Question 3

grade one sponylolisthesis with bilateral pars defects, which appear chronic, without edema. mild disk height loss with diffuse disc bulging, but resulting in severe right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing. means?

Accepted Answer

: The most concerning statement was the last part, the severe foraminal narrowing. It means the disc bulges are pressing into the openings where the nerves branch off the spine and go out to the limbs. If you are having pain, consider a visit with a PM&amp;R doctor or a neurosurgeon to discuss treatment options.

Question 4

athlete w/loss of cervical lordosis, large lateral disc osteophyte c5/c6 causing severe narrowing foramen, indentation of thecal sac. what are best treatment options?

Accepted Answer

Spine surgeon: You need to be evaluated by a spine surgeon. Treatment depends on your symptoms, exam findings and imaging results.

Question 5

there's grade 2 anterolisthesis of l5 on s1 with severe loss of disk height. moderate loss of disk height at l3-4 and l4-5. pars defects l5. needsurg?

Accepted Answer

Back pain: Depends on the findings and your pain and also  your functional limitations.

Question 6

i have mgus, multilevel spondylosis, multilevel height loss, 3 buldging disk, severe arthritis of spine, facet joint detiorating. what is going on ?

Accepted Answer

See details: You have significant osteoarthritis of the spine. Disc compression has caused the loss of height. The mgus is unrelated. See a rheumatologist about the spine.

Question 7

i am 61and have severe disk loss l5 s1 plus spondylosis..active170 lbsexercise regularly. have period back pain and mild sciatica. do i need to avoid lumbar extension movements across the board or still try to work them in occasionally?

Accepted Answer

: If it hurts to do those movements, then you should avoid them. If it doesn’t cause discomfort, then you can probably do them gently. You could also consider physical therapy to show you what you can and cannot do based on your condition. Best of luck to you!

Question 8

what can cause loss of disc height in spine?

Accepted Answer

: Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging, and usually is not a problem. As one ages, dehydration of the central disc "fluid" in all the discs can result in a loss of up to 2 inches in total height. The loss, disproportionately, from one disc can be due to disc herniation, disc bulging, spondylolisthesis &amp; disc protrusion just to name a few.

Question 9

what does it mean when a disc has loss of hydration?

Accepted Answer

Common: Unfortunately, it is a common change with aging, and some of us are genetically predisposed to have more rapid and/or more pronounced disc dessication than others. Remaining active & hydrated help some. Others recommend periodic inversion (hanging upside down) to "stretch" the discs & encourage uptake of fluids/nutrients--? If works, but helps w/discomfort in some and has little (upside-)downside.

Question 10

what does desiccation of the disc without loss of disc height mean?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk: Indicator of poor disc "health" which can predispose to future injury.

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Doctor answers about:

Severe disc loss

A member asked:

Cracking painful and swollen joints, neck pain, spine pain and lumbar back pain. recently visited chiropractor who did xray severe disc degeneration, scoliosis, loss of lumbar and neck curvature etc. who is the best specialist to see?

A member asked:

I got a ct scan of my neck at the er, this is part of the results, what does this mean? multilevel disc dessication, moderate to severe loss of disc space height, disc osteophyte complex and facet hypertrophy most prominent at the c5 - c6 level?

A member asked:

Grade one sponylolisthesis with bilateral pars defects, which appear chronic, without edema. mild disk height loss with diffuse disc bulging, but resulting in severe right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing. means?

A member asked:

Athlete w/loss of cervical lordosis, large lateral disc osteophyte c5/c6 causing severe narrowing foramen, indentation of thecal sac. what are best treatment options?

A member asked:

There's grade 2 anterolisthesis of l5 on s1 with severe loss of disk height. moderate loss of disk height at l3-4 and l4-5. pars defects l5. needsurg?

A member asked:

I have mgus, multilevel spondylosis, multilevel height loss, 3 buldging disk, severe arthritis of spine, facet joint detiorating. what is going on ?

A member asked:

I am 61and have severe disk loss l5 s1 plus spondylosis..active170 lbsexercise regularly. have period back pain and mild sciatica. do i need to avoid lumbar extension movements across the board or still try to work them in occasionally?

A member asked:

What can cause loss of disc height in spine?

A member asked:

What does it mean when a disc has loss of hydration?

A member asked:

What does desiccation of the disc without loss of disc height mean?

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