MRI. What does it do for Baton Rouge back
pain and related leg pain? That’s a intriguing
question. Diagnosing Baton Rouge lumbar spinal stenosis does not
always need an MRI for a clear diagnosis. MRI
images can be enlightening…and demanding
of clinical tests to ascertain what those
images really suggest. An MRI is a familiar
test to many Baton Rouge chiropractic
patients seeking Baton Rouge back pain relief, but the
MRI’s arranging and outcomes require careful
consideration as to when they are ordered
and what they really imply for the chiropractic care of
spinal stenosis at Spine & Sports Rehab Center.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE Baton Rouge STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the
most usual sign for spinal back surgery in the
over-65 age set of people. With the expansion of this
group, by 2025 59% of them are predicted to have
spinal stenosis. (1) Often
your Baton Rouge chiropractor can identify spinal
stenosis with just a few questions and physical examination discoveries
without an MRI. Your Baton Rouge chiropractor may use the MRI as a verifying trial of the
Baton Rouge chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis previously
determined just by seeing you.
WHAT THE Baton Rouge MRI SHOWS
In the event of a disc extrusion causing
spinal stenosis where the Baton Rouge herniated disc leaks out of
its outer bands and seeps out into the spinal canal physically compressing
and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI showing
this often bodes well for the MRI’s patient. At
one year later, whether treated with surgery or without, the back-related sciatica patient had
less leg pain. In this case an MRI does not help much in influencing
which patient would do better with quicker surgery or long
conservative care. (2) And the healing of these Baton Rouge spinal
stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Spine & Sports Rehab Center.
HOW THE Baton Rouge MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Understand that as rates for spinal surgery increase
– ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In a
study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries
(and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Understand
too that what a surgeon spots on MRI influences
how he or she handles the spinal back surgery for
stenosis. He/She considers the degree and location
of nerve compression and degenerative changes at adjacent
levels. Experienced surgeons reached agreement more with each
other’s interpretations of MRI images than less
experienced surgeons. (1) Experienced chiropractors like yours at Spine & Sports Rehab Center
also are more proficient at recognizing
Baton Rouge spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR Baton Rouge STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Don’t depend on
passive care like bed rest. That’s old school care. Give it time.
Participate in the active, conservative care your
Baton Rouge chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness
some change because there’s no sure difference
between surgical (though faster relief may come) and non-surgical
care after a year or two. (4) Spine & Sports Rehab Center utilizes the Cox
Technic System of Spine Pain Management for Baton Rouge spinal stenosis and back pain relief care. The 50% Rule
guides treatment frequency and treatment progress and
decision-making as to when/if an MRI is required (if you
have not had one taken) or surgical or other care
consultation turns out to be necessary.
CONTACT Spine & Sports Rehab Center
Schedule a Baton Rouge
chiropractic appointment to visit your Baton Rouge
chiropractic back pain specialist about your Baton Rouge back pain and
sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your
Baton Rouge back pain treatment plan.