Intervertebral Foramina Puns

Hello All,

I posted earlier thinking my 6-year-old Frenchie had patellar luxation after he started developing a "skipping" gait on his back hind leg. He does not appear to be in any pain, his bathroom, eating and sleeping habits are unchanged. My vet brought up that we had identified a congenital deformation of his spine that was diagnosed years ago, however, he was not having this issue then. I love my vet, but she was unable to explain to me how the two were correlated now a year later. She also said there was nothing that could be done, which seemed incorrect. The following report confirms his congenital issues, but can't seem to find anything that would be causing this issue. I wanted to get other opinions here and see if I can shed more light on my boy's situation. Thank you in advance for your help.

>HISTORY
>
>Skips on the R rear limb on and off, happening for 2-3 months, happens on walks, does not seem to be in pain
>
>FINDINGS
>
>Thoracolumbar radiography (2 orthogonal views, 2 total images) dated December 15, 2021: The cranial extent of the thorax is not included on either image for evaluation. There are multifocal wedged and butterfly shaped vertebra within the mid to caudal thoracic spine with multifocal fusion of the dorsal spinous processes and moderate focal kyphosis within the mid aspect of the thorax. There is mild intervertebral disc space narrowing at T12-13, T13-L1, L1-2, L2-3, and L3-4 with minimal variable spondylosis deformans. Mild curvilinear mineral is present superimposed over the ventral aspect of the intervertebral foramina at T13-L1, L1-2, L2-3, L3-4, L4-5, L6-7, and L7-S1. The coxal joints are congruent with good coverage of the femoral heads by the acetabula and no evidence of degenerative changes. The included portions of the stifle joints are normal without evidence of patellar displacement or degenerative changes. Multiple hemivertebrae are present within the tail which has a truncated and corkscrew like appearance. No overt abnormalities are identified within the included intrathoracic and intra-abdominal structures.
>
>CONCLUSIONS

1. Multifocal breed related thoracic and caudal congenital vertebral anomalies with associated moderate thoracic kyphosis
2. Multifocal lumbar annulus fibrosis mineralization and/or lateralized spondylosis deformans.

>RECOMMENDATIONS
>
>The intervertebral disc disease is unclearly related to the reported abnormal gai

Hi All,

I am a very active 38 year old Male, and my favorite hobbies are skiing and downhill mountain biking (big feature stuff, drops etc etc etc).

I have seen a neurosurgeon recently about my 9 month long sciatica and disc extrusion in L5-S1. I'm putting my MRI report at the end of this post. Unfortunately I don't have the angle of MRI images that would allow you to see much except the side view. PT makes me worse, and I have great days and bad days depending on how much I bend and how much the disc material seems to impinge the S1 nerve root. PT has made my abs and core stronger, but it is a mix because of the triggering nature of the exercises. For instance, I will go a while almost fully recovering with no leg or foot pain, then do something and have a huge flare up that feels as bad or worse than the initial acute symptoms. I know someone is going to come and talk to me about McGill, so I'll just say that I know about it, I am very careful but sometimes I accidently do bends out of habit which is what triggers me or it happens in sleep (stress related). It's life, not much I can do other than try to be more careful...anyway.

The neurosurgeon spent barely 5 minutes with me talking about the procedure for MD, told me I couldn't do anything impact related ever again, and ran out the door. She's a well respected surgeon in the area, but because of my lifestyle and hobbies I am very concerned and the visit, which took like 2 months to schedule, left me lacking on enough information to make any kind of informed decision.

The pain management clinic that does my spinal injections has been advising me on the condition is against the surgery because they have a new injectable treatment potentially coming out at the beginning of the year that will patch tears in your annulus, potentially allowing the disc to regain structural stability. My MRI report mentions mild dissection (dehydration) on L5-S1 but the rest of my back and discs are completely healthy besides the pretty big tear, which seems to be actually central and pressing on my dural sac (that's bad I assume, spinal cord in there).

From the little the surgeon told me, it sounds like they cut into the annulus potentially during the procedure. It does not sound like your back is structurally altered much besides the cutting of the annulus. From my research, and talking with people, the annulus never heals with it's original tissue naturally after a surgery, rather it crusts over with weaker

The neurologist I’ve been working with has honestly not been very helpful. I called 10 days after the MRI for results, he gave me a brief summary saying surgery isn’t needed, her case is mild and offered no treatment options. I’m currently working on trying to find another neurologists opinion and advice. The MRI results did state possible lumbosacral disease, any others out here have experience with this?

Thank you so much, my dog is my entire world and this has been hard.

^(Radiographic Findings:)

^(Standard multiplanar MR images of the lumbosacral spine and pelvis are reviewed. The study includes T2, STIR, myelography and pre- and post-contrast T1 images made prior to and following the intravenous administration of gadolinium contrast.)

^(The lumbar spinal cord is normal with respect to signal intensity. All of the discs maintain some degree of hydrated nucleus pulposus. The lumbosacral disc is more desiccated and there is mild to moderate spondylolisthesis. Subjectively, the lumbosacral disc annulus is also diusely thickened and/or herniated laterally and ventrally. With the disc herniation and spondylolisthesis, there is moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis. Both L7 nerves are mildly enlarged and hyperintense from the level of the ganglia through the intervertebral foramina. They are normal at the cranial ventral aspect of the sacrum. In the post-contrast images, there is marked enhancement of the also in ganglia. Distal to this area, both L7 nerves are heterogeneously enhancing and/or there is enhancement in the perineural tissue.)

^(The coxofemoral joints are well-seated within their respective acetabula. No areas of bone hyperintensity or enhancement are identied. The right gluteal muscles are mildly reduced in volume, but all muscles have normal signal intensity.)

^(Conclusion:)

^(1. Bilateral L7 ganglionitis and mild neuropathy/radiculoneuropathy/neuritis.)

^(2. Mild lumbosacral spondylolisthesis and annulus hypertrophy.)

While I'm waiting for my doctor to explain the MRI results, do any of you have an idea what this means?

EXAM: MRI LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST

HISTORY: Left-sided sciatica.

TECHNIQUE: Using a 1.5 Tesla scanner, the following sequences were obtained: Sagittal T1, T2 FSE and STIR, axial T1 and T2. Slice thickness is 4 mm.

COMPARISON: None

FINDINGS:

There is a normal curvature of the lumbar spine.

The vertebral body heights are maintained. Type 2 Modic degenerative signal changes are present inferiorly at L1 and L2.

The disc spaces are normal in height and signal.

The paraspinal soft tissues are normal.

The conus medullaris terminates at L1. The distal spinal cord is normal.

Vertebral numbering assumes the presence of 5 lumbar-type vertebral bodies and for the purposes of this report, the last large intervertebral disc space will be designated as L5-S1.

Disc spaces are described as below:

T12-L1: There is no disc protrusion or extrusion. There is no spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis. The facet joints are normal.

L1-L2: There is no disc protrusion or extrusion. There is no spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis. The facet joints are normal.

L2-L3: There is no disc protrusion or extrusion. There is no spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis. The facet joints are normal.

L3-L4: There is no disc protrusion or extrusion. There is no spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis. The facet joints are normal.

L4-L5: There is a right paracentral 2 mm disc bulge with a high intensity zone. No spinal canal stenosis. Mild right-sided neural foramen stenosis. The left neural foramen is patent.

L5-S1: Left lateral recess focal 6 mm protrusion resulting in moderate to severe left lateral recess stenosis with encroachment on the traversing left S1 nerve root. The neural foramina are patent.

IMPRESSION:

1. Left lateral recess focal 6 mm disc extrusion resulting in moderate to severe left lateral recess stenosis with encroachment on the traversing left S1 nerve root.

2. Mild right-sided neural foramen stenosis at L4-5.

Anyone in the same situation? I got an MRI yesterday.

These are the findings:

The intervertebral disc substances between the lumbar vertebrae all are seen to be healthy and well hydrated,

only the disc between L4-L5 that is dehydrated showing large diffuse annular bulge to compress the dural sac and nerve roots, mild encroachment on both lateral recesses, not reaching the foramina at that level.

Other intervertebral disc substances above and below look to be maintained.

Hello,

I've just joined this group after months of seeking help for extreme nighttime back pain.

I finally got an MRI of my thoracic spine. I had initially suspected SD, but because of nighttime pain presentation, I thought maybe it was AS.

I DO have daytime pain, but mentally I consider it separate from the sudden onset nighttime pain that happened in January and February. I loaded up with NSAIDs For several weeks and eventually started sleeping again. I'm not waking up at 3 am with pain anymore.

My question is, had anyone in this group presented with extreme debilitating pain in the mid-back that gets better with exercise and lasts several months?

To be transparent, I do not think this diagnosis will explain my presenting problem.

My rheumatologist told me it's not his problem and the orthopedic told me to see a rheumatologist.

I have an orthopedic follow-up in July where I expect to receive an SD diagnosis.

Do your MRI results look like this?

Marrow signal: Unremarkable
Vertebral body contour: No compression deformities. Multiple Schmorl's nodes
Alignment/Curvature: Mild increased kyphosis
Intervertebral discs:
T1-T2 through T3-T4: Maintained
T4-T5: Left posterolateral disc bulge with mild effacement of the thecal sac
T5-T6: Maintained
T6-T7: Schmorl's nodes
C7 T8: Small stenosis with mild central disc bulging
T8-T9: Schmorl's node. Mild central disc bulging
T9-T10 through T11-T12: Schmorl's nodes
T12-L1: Normal
Disc signal: Mild loss of normal T2 signal in the mid thoracic spine
Facets: Aligned
Spinal canal: Patent without compromise.
Neural foramina: Patent without compromise.
Cord signal: Unremarkable allowing for artifacts.
Visualized paraspinal soft tissues: Unremarkable

My x-ray report

Mild levoscoliosis of the lower thoracic spine is present. There are 12 pairs of ribs.

Mild multilevel anterior mid thoracic vertebral body spondylosis is observed. Mild anterior wedging involving several midthoracic vertebral bodies is observed with increased thoracic kyphosis.

There is no evidence of subluxation.

IMPRESSION:
Multilevel Schmorl's nodes. Mild increased kyphosis. Consider Scheuermann's
disease. Patent spinal canal and foramina

I'm a 34-year-old female with a healthy lifestyle.

Female, Age 38, 169 cms, 74 kgs, on Gabapentin and Codeine since March 2021, Previous smoker (gave up 3 years ago).

I've been in pain for 2.5 years. Injured my neck giving birth and was sent for an ultrasound scan 2 months after, as there was swelling at the bottom of my neck. Obviously this doesn't pick up herniated discs. The pain was mainly in my neck and shoulders, but increasingly it got to the stage that my hands and arms (burning pains throughout) were involved, then lower legs. Also, a lot of numbness, waking up with lower legs numb or with stabbing pains in fingers or toes. I've been diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, when I was finally sent for an MRI in February, as I was at my wits end. A GP finally listed to me and didn't write me off as just having anxiety! It seems like I am also experiencing myelopathy due to numbness, increasing weakness (hands getting very stiff) and difficulty lifting my toddler. I fell trying to lift him recently. I also slightly black out sometimes and drop things. Even with gabapentin and codeine today, I'm in agony, I feel like I injured myself more 2 days ago, when I suddenly jolted my head to the left prevent my toddler from falling. I have a slight disc bulge in lower lumbar, which seems to be acting up as my neck gets worse.

Musculoskeletal consult via phone in March referred me as urgent to neurosurgery as I had significant functional and pain issues. I was told I would have to wait 30 weeks to a year for a neurosurgery consult, I had to get a doctors letter and make a formal complaint as I cannot go on like this and need to get back to work (off since mid January). I was told I have a neurosurgery consult via phone this Monday and the coordinator mentioned they might give me ESI's... As my injury has been progressively getting worse over 2.5 years, do you think it valid to try to insist on surgery, as I am terrified that I will have permanent nerve damage. Has anyone had a similar injury and had the ESI's work for them? Also, it feels strange that no-one has examined my physically throughout all this, everything due to covid has been via phone... My GP said that neurosurgery would do their own scans, but as it is a rushed appointment, they will work off scans from February.

Can't seem to be able to upload pics of scans... MRI Report is as follows:

Regrettably, the symptomatic side is not provided in the clinical history to aid interpretation of this study.

Normal segmentation, vertebral body height and

I don't want to step on anybody's toes here, but the amount of non-dad jokes here in this subreddit really annoys me. First of all, dad jokes CAN be NSFW, it clearly says so in the sub rules. Secondly, it doesn't automatically make it a dad joke if it's from a conversation between you and your child. Most importantly, the jokes that your CHILDREN tell YOU are not dad jokes. The point of a dad joke is that it's so cheesy only a dad who's trying to be funny would make such a joke. That's it. They are stupid plays on words, lame puns and so on. There has to be a clever pun or wordplay for it to be considered a dad joke.

Again, to all the fellow dads, I apologise if I'm sounding too harsh. But I just needed to get it off my chest.

I had an MRI for my lower back because of pain. I have had previous procedure of basically burning the nerves to stop pain, but then a new king of pain started. I attached the report to this, basically I have a bulge and a tear. My doctor I saw said my options are 1) cortisone shot in the spine with PT or 2) massive back surgery involving fusing discs, screws and plates. Should I get a second opinion? Are those really the only options?

EXAM: MRI LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST

HISTORY: Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region. Low back pain. Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbosacral region. Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region. Patient states low back pain which started four weeks ago radiating down into top of bilateral buttocks. No known injury.

TECHNIQUE: A 1.5 Tesla system was utilized.

Multiplanar MRI of the lumbar spine was performed including T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences.

COMPARISON: MRI lumbar spine dated 5/19/2017.

FINDINGS: The lumbar spine has a normal lordotic curvature. The vertebral bodies have a normal appearance, as well as normal marrow signal characteristics. No marrow edema, or occult fractures are evident. The conus medullaris has a normal appearance.

T12-L1: Unremarkable.

L1-2: Unremarkable.

L2-3: Unremarkable.

L3-4: The disc height is slightly diminished. Early disc desiccation is present. Minimal facet arthrosis is present. Minimal narrowing of the left neural foramen is present, due to paracentral disc encroachment. Impingement on the exiting left L3 nerve root may be present.

L4-5: The disc is slightly diminished. Mild narrowing of the left neural foramen is present, due to paracentral disc encroachment, endplate spurring, and facet arthrosis. Impingement on the exiting left L4 nerve root may be present. The right neural foramen is patent. Minimal facet arthrosis is present.

L5-S1: The disc height is diminished. A small central disc protrusion is present, effacing the epidural fat. A tiny annular rent is noted. The neural foramina are patent. Minimal facet arthrosis is present at this level.

No paraspinal masses are identified.

IMPRESSION:

A small central disc protrusion is present, at L5-S1. An underlying tiny annular rent is noted.

Minimal degenerative changes are present, within the lower lumbar spine.

Do your worst!

I'm surprised it hasn't decade.

For context I'm a Refuse Driver (Garbage man) & today I was on food waste. After I'd tipped I was checking the wagon for any defects when I spotted a lone pea balanced on the lifts.

I said "hey look, an escaPEA"

No one near me but it didn't half make me laugh for a good hour or so!

Edit: I can't believe how much this has blown up. Thank you everyone I've had a blast reading through the replies 😂

It really does, I swear!

Because she wanted to see the task manager.

Heard they've been doing some shady business.

BamBOO!

They’re on standbi

ok .... I know I post here a ton... and I know yall are busy, but can anyone translate my imaging into layman's terms? I mean, other than "you have a bulging disc" cause I get that part

32F, taking zanaflex and mobic for back/neck injury, lamictal and buspar for bipolar depression

MRI SPINE LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST

HISTORY: LOW BACK PAIN WITH RIGHT SIDED SCIATICA

TECHNIQUE: Examination was performed on a 1.5 tesla magnet with sagittal and axial T1 and T2 weighted imaging through the lumbar spine.

FINDINGS: Vertebral bodies are normal in height, signal intensity and alignment.. Intervertebral disc spaces demonstrate minimal disc desiccation at L2-L3 and L3-L4 with slight disc bulge at L3-L4 and L4-5..

The conus medullaris terminates at L1. Visible paraspinous soft tissues look normal. Intrathecal contents are unremarkable.

L1-L2: No significant canal or foraminal stenosis.

L2-L3: No significant canal or foraminal stenosis.

L3-L4: Mild diffuse disc bulge. Slight narrowing of the right lateral recess and minimal impression on to the right L3 nerve root.

L4-L5: Mild diffuse disc bulge. Facet joint arthropathy ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Narrowing of the left lateral recess slight impression on to the left L4 nerve root.

L5-S1: No significant canal or foraminal stenosis.

IMPRESSION: Minor degenerate disc disease with facet joint arthropathy. Small disc bulges resulting in narrowing of the left lateral recess and left neural foramen at L4-5 on the right at L3-L4.

----------

EXAM: MRI SPINE CERVICAL W/O CONTRAST

HISTORY: Neck pain.

COMPARISON: CERVICAL SPINE 2/23/2021 9:22 AM

TECHNIQUE: Good quality, non-contrast sagittal and axial MRI images of the cervical spine were obtained on a 1.5 Tesla magnet.

FINDINGS: The 7 cervical vertebral bodies are in good alignment. Vertebral body heights are well maintained. Mild loss of disc height with disc desiccation is seen at C5-6 and C6-7. The cervical cord is of normal thickness and signal throughout its length. The posterior fossa structures are unremarkable. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling is seen. No neck masses are evident.

C2-3: No spinal or neural foraminal stenosis.

C3-4: No spinal or neural foraminal stenosis.

C4-5: No spinal stenosis is seen. A small synovial cyst projects into the left neural foramen measuring 3 mm.

C5-6: A mild to moderate and asymmetric to the left diffuse disc protrusion and osteophyte complex causes moderate left-sided

Pilot on me!!

Christopher Walken

Nothing, he was gladiator.

but then I remembered it was ground this morning.

Edit: Thank you guys for the awards, they're much nicer than the cardboard sleeve I've been using and reassures me my jokes aren't stale

Edit 2: I have already been made aware that Men In Black 3 has told a version of this joke before. If the joke is not new to you, please enjoy any of the single origin puns in the comments

X-Ray 3 years ago:

FINDINGS: 1 cm anterolisthesis at L5-S1 likely from bilateral pars defects. There is no significant loss of disc height. Facet degenerative changes are seen at L5-S1. Disc height is maintained at other levels. No compression deformity.

Recent X-Ray:

Doc told me my left leg is slightly longer than the right. My hips and spine are compensating and I have mild scoliosis and a pinched nerve. He told me to get an MRI.

Recent MRI:

INDICATION: Lumbar Spondylolisthesis, Radiculopathy

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar multisequence of the lumbar spine

FINDINGS: The lumbar vertebral bodies are maintained in height. There is grade 1 anterolisthesis at L5-S1, possibly on the basis of bilateral spondylolysis. This can be confirmed with radiographs. There is a disc buldge at L5-S1 with posterior disc uncovering. Elsewhere the intervertebral discs are maintained. Bone marrow signal is unremarkable. The conus terminates at L1. The cauda equina are unremarkable. No significant spinal canal stenosis is identified at any level. There is severe left neuroforaminal narrowing at L5-S1 compressing on the left L5 nerve root. Elsewhere the neural foramina are maintained.

IMPRESSION: Grade 1 spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 contributing to severe left L5-S1 neural foraminal narrowing with mass effect on the left L5 nerve root.

What’s my outlook? They want to give me a cortisone injection. Am I gonna need spinal fusion surgery eventually?

Or would that be too forward thinking?

Dad jokes are supposed to be jokes you can tell a kid and they will understand it and find it funny.

This sub is mostly just NSFW puns now.

If it needs a NSFW tag it's not a dad joke. There should just be a NSFW puns subreddit for that.

Edit* I'm not replying any longer and turning off notifications but to all those that say "no one cares", there sure are a lot of you arguing about it. Maybe I'm wrong but you people don't need to be rude about it. If you really don't care, don't comment.

What did 0 say to 8 ?

" Nice Belt "

So What did 3 say to 8 ?

" Hey, you two stop making out "

When I got home, they were still there.

I won't be doing that today!

[Removed]

This morning, my 4 year old daughter.

Daughter: I'm hungry

Me: nerves building, smile widening

Me: Hi hungry, I'm dad.

She had no idea what was going on but I finally did it.

Thank you all for listening.

Where ever you left it 🤷‍♀️🤭

You take away their little brooms

It was about a weak back.

Hi,

Just looking for thoughts or idea for a recent problem that's cropped up in our small cat, Ernie.

She's a female domestic Medium hair cat. 9 months old. Spayed. She was the runt of her litter and has always been small - now at 9 months she weighs 6.3 lbs (her brother's almost 10lbs at the same age). She's playful, very affectionate, has a good appetite for food and water, and no problems using the litter box. No obvious signs of pain or discomfort. No other medications or health issues. Bright, alert, and responsive.

But about two weeks ago, we began to notice she wasn't jumping much, and instead would claw her way up onto the bed, chairs, the couch, etc... And it seems to have gotten worse. She can walk and run and play mostly fine, but can't seem to jump up onto things, or stand on her hind legs almost at all now. She flops over often now instead of sitting.

Since we couldn't get a regular vet appointment immediately, we took her to an urgent care center, where they examined her and did x-rays - finding the following:

Mild muscle wasting pelvic limbs. Moderate muscle wasting around the gluteal region. Mild generalized hindlimb lameness. 1-2/5. Left pelvic limb seems slightly more affected than right. Patient will walk several steps and then sit. Able to sit in normal position but will occasionally slump to hips it. No significant pain on spinal palpation.

We recommended radiographs of her back legs and pelvis to look for evidence of skeletal trauma, abnormal bone development, or bone loss from vascular diseases (legg-calv-perthes disease). Initial radiology review showed a couple areas of bone within the femur which appeared to be abnormal. We recommended an STAT radiology review for further interpretation.

Initial radiology review showed a couple areas of bone within the femur which appeared to be abnormal. We recommended an STAT radiology review for further interpretation. The radiology Review showed strong suspicion for decreased bone integrity (osteopenia), and an area in the lower back (lumbosacral intervertebral foramina) which is suspicious for a space-occupying lesion leading to the muscle loss and subsequent bone loss.

X-Rays are here with the possibly abnormal area circled in the second image: https://imgur.com/a/2CpuEuC

The clinic referred us to another urgent care center that had a neurologist and an MRI machine.

*The neurologist there was concerned that her symptoms could be caused by an in

There hasn't been a post all year!