SEARCH KNOWLEDGE BASE: 10.000 Q&A

disc desiccation

(6 discussions)

My MRI demonstrated disc desiccation at C6-7.
What causes this to happen?
I was in a car accident a few months prior to the MRI. Could the accident have been a cause?


6 comments

    Avatar

    9 10

    Can Osgood Schlatter’s Disease become symptomatic from an auto accident? Thank you for your response.

    Dr. Brian

    9 10

    Many things needed to be considered before making that assessment, including, your age, type of car accident (rear end, side impact), etc. It is hard to exactly pinpoint what causes disc dessication (drying up of the disc, which usually is related to osteoarthritis). Many people have disc dessication without the presence of symptoms or pain, which then is considered an incidental finding. However, dessication does not usually happen over a short period of time. If dessication is related to a car accident, a period of time usually has passed (how long you ask, this is an opinion type question as I’m unaware of research that shows this). However, in my experience, I have seen patients with annular tearing of the disc, which I feel was related to a car accident because it was a high impact side collision. In summary, disc dessication probably is not directly related to the car accident, but is something that may develop in the future because of a car accident, depending on the speed of impact etc.
    Hope this helps! Dr. B

      Avatar

      9 10

      Central disc herniation with annular tear at L5-S1Mild broad-based bulging of the disc at L1-L2The rest of the discs are unremarkable for significant bulging or focal disc herniation.
      What does this mean and what remedies are available

    Avatar

    9 10

    My MRI report reads that I have desiccation of the L5-S1 disc, mild diffuse disc bulge, and degenerative changes at L5-S1. Can you explain exactly what this means, and is it typically treatable w/ out surgery?

    Avatar

    9 10

    Hello I just had an MRI of the lumbar spine,it showed that I have on my L3-L4 level is mild disc desiccation present,also a tiny posterior central disc protrusion present measuring 2mm.also at L4-L5 there is a small posterior disc bulge present without focal herniation. I was wondering what my chances are of getting better? About exercise what should I do? what should I avoid? What about walking, will that affect it? and what about the treadmill? thank you so much. lilly

    Avatar

    9 10

    mild reversal of normal lordotic curvature. c4-c5 level mild disk bulge. c5-c6 mild disk bulge, foraminal stenosis on the right. mild disk deg. L3-S1. small broed based foraminal disk protrusion on right at L3-L4. L4-L5 a mild disk bulge and facet hypertrophy resulting in mild to moderate foraminal stenosis on right. L5-S1 small posterlateral disk protrusion on right which does not displace or compress nerve roots. facet hypertrophy at this level. I was rearended in a car accident and didn’t have any pain until after. Could the accident trigger my symptoms?

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *