mrsamct
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Joined: 06 Aug 2011
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 Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:50 am Post subject: Can an MRI Detect a Slipped Disc in Back? |
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arthritis pain relief
Stephen Pierce
Mild to severe back pain along with leg pain and weakness in the lower extremity muscles is often an indication of a slipped disc. The term 'slipped disc' is a common term used by non-medical people. However, this term is misleading as it is actually called as spinal disc herniation or herniated disc. This condition is caused due to a tear in the outer ring of an intervertebral disc of the spine. This causes the soft inner part of the disc to bulge out. When this happens, it leads to an inflammatory reaction that leads to severe pain. In order to get a proper look at the herniated disc, that is, slipped disc, one is advised to get an MRI scan done. This is an expensive test and makes one wonder, 'can an MRI scan detect a slipped disc in back'. If this is the same question running through your mind and you want to know more about a slipped disc, continue reading. The following Buzzle article contains all the information related to slipped disc and an MRI scan.
What is a Slipped Disc?
A slipped disc in back is also called as a herniated disc or prolapsed disc. This is one of the most common causes of constant back and leg pain. The disc between the vertebrae of the spine is covered in a hard outer shell and contains a jelly-like soft center. If the hard outer cover gets damaged or ruptured, it pushes out the soft inner center into the spinal canal. If this happens, the space between the two vertebra reduces and also reduces the space for the nerves in the spine. This causes the nerves to become inflamed and irritated. Thus, one suffers from pain in the area the nerves tend to exist. In some cases, people develop sciatica that leads to lower back pain, buttock pain as well as leg pain. The pain experienced in case of slipped disc and sciatica is continuous. Slipped disc is usually caused due to aging. In young people, the disc is soft and elastic. However, with aging and normal wear and tear, the disc loses its elasticity. This makes it vulnerable to injury, damage or rupture.
Symptoms of Slipped Disc
When the space between the discs is reduced, it causes the nerves to compress. Thus, the nerves start sending wrong signals and lead to symptoms such as:
* Electric shock pain due to compression of the neck o lower back region. This pain is felt down the arms and legs.
* Tingling sensation and numbness in the arms and legs.
* Weakness of muscles due to interruption of brain signals. This interruption occurs due to the nerve irritation.
* Herniated disc can cause problems urinating or with bowel movements. This condition is a medical emergency and any problems with the bladder or bowel movement, should seek immediate medical attention.
Slipped Disc Diagnosis
In most cases, the doctor diagnoses a herniated disc or slipped disc with the help of physical examination. He will take your medical history into account and try to determine the source of the pain. He will examine your lower back, neck, arms and legs. He will check your neck and spine movement. This helps to find if there is any pain when one twists, moves or bends. He will also test the muscles for strength to observe if you have any weakness. He will check for tender areas to determine the point of pain and see if you show any changes in sensation on specific area. The doctor may also check your tendon reflexes under the kneecap or on the ankle. After the physical examination, he may suggest diagnostic tests that includes X-ray, MRI and sometimes even a CAT scan.
Can an MRI Scan Detect a Herniated Disc in the Back?
MRI scan is a type of imaging test. This test is not suggested until and unless other non-surgical treatments do not help in relieving the pain. If the pain continues after about 4 weeks of treatment, the doctor may recommend the MRI scan. However, can an MRI scan detect a slipped disc? MRI scan is an acronym for the term Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It does not use ionizing radiation, but radio waves to generate a series of images of the body. These images show a thin slice of body that can be studied from various angles. Thus, any abnormal tissue is better detected and observed with the help of an MRI scan than other imaging techniques like CT scan or ultrasound.
During the test, the patient is asked to lie down on a table that slides into a huge tunnel like machine. A contrast material will be inserted into the area where the symptoms are observed. This is done with the help of an intravenous (IV) line in the hand. The saline solution drips through the IV line till the contrast material is injected into the body. Then, the patient is moved into the machine and many pictures of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar region are taken. An MRI scan takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
The images taken by an MRI scan help in confirming the location and severity of the slipped disc. This helps doctor find details of the spinal infection or presence of a possible tumor. These images contain pictures of soft tissues such as the muscles, spinal nerves, ligaments, tendons, discs as well as the spinal bone marrow. This helps the doctor observe the detailed picture of the spine and understand how grave is the herniated disc.
So, as you can see MRI scan helps in detecting any tear, herniation or fragmentation of the discs. It also helps in detection of spinal stenosis as well as other back problems like an infection or tumor. MRI scan also helps detect other asymptomatic abnormalities of the spine. The results often have no impact on the severity of the pain or any need for a possible surgery. If you are wondering about can an MRI detect a slipped disc in back, the answer is 'yes'. However, getting an MRI scan does not always indicate one is suffering from any serious back or spinal problems. Always speak to your doctor about any doubts you may have when undergoing a diagnostic test.
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