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Case Presentation: Degenerative Disk Disease - Case 1
History and Physical
- 71 year-old man with long history of low back pain, however, with increasing intensity over the past year with 10/10 intensity on Visual Analogue Scale with development of pain radiating in the posterior aspect of both thighs.
- His neurological examination was normal with no weakness, or numbness of lower extremities, however, significant pain with range of motion of lumbar spine.
Imaging
Plain flexion-extension x-rays of the lumbar spine shows no instability, but instead significant degenerative disk disease at L3-L4 level.
MRI scan of the lumbar spine confirms significant degenerative disk disease at L3-L4 level (Modic type II changes at L3-L4 level).
CT Spect of the lumbar spine confirms significant degenerative disk disease at L3-L4 level (MDP uptake at L3-L4 level).
Surgical Procedure
After a comprehensive battery of conservative measures, he underwent PLIF (Posterior Lumbar Inter-body Fusion) at L3-L4 level.
Post op Course
- He did well post operatively with immediate improvement of his function and was discharged home. Patient’s low back pain and thigh pain completely resolved post-operatively.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 14:51 |
