MRI. What does it mean for La Grande back
pain and related leg pain? That is a curious
question. Diagnosing La Grande lumbar spinal stenosis doesn’t
always require an MRI for a clear diagnosis. MRI
images can be revealing…and calling for clinical tests to establish what those
images really suggest. An MRI is a well-known
test to a lot of La Grande chiropractic
patients seeking La Grande back pain relief, but the
MRI’s timing and outcomes need careful
thought as to when they are taken
and what they really imply for the chiropractic care of
spinal stenosis at Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE La Grande STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a normal condition and the
most usual indicator for spinal back surgery in the
over-65 age set of people. With the growth of this
group, by 2025 59% of them are expected to acquire
spinal stenosis. (1) Often
your La Grande chiropractor can diagnose spinal
stenosis with just a few questions and physical examination answers
with no an MRI. Your La Grande chiropractor may order
an MRI as a verifying trial of the
La Grande chiropractic clinical examination diagnosis already
determined just by seeing you.
WHAT THE La Grande MRI SHOWS
In the case of a disc extrusion triggering
spinal stenosis where the La Grande herniated disc escapes
its outer bands and oozes into the spinal canal physically constricting
and chemically inflaming the spinal nerve, an MRI showing
this often bodes well for the MRI’s patient. At
one year later, whether treated surgically
or non-surgically, the back-related sciatica patient had
less leg pain. In this case an MRI does not help much in determining
which patient would do better with early surgery or long
conservative care. (2) And the healing of these La Grande spinal
stenosis related extrusions takes time and good, guided care like that from Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC.
HOW THE La Grande MRI INFLUENCES CARE
Know that as rates for spinal surgery rise
– ten times across the US – so too do the rates of advanced spinal imaging. In one
study, areas with more MRIs saw more spine surgeries
(and spinal stenosis surgery specifically). (3) Know
too that what a surgeon makes out on MRI affects
how he or she handles the spinal back surgery for
stenosis. He/She studies the extent 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 Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
also are more proficient at recognizing
La Grande spinal stenosis as the diagnosis.
WHAT TO DO FOR La Grande STENOSIS AND SCIATICA
Treat it actively. Do not rely on
passive care like bed rest. That’s old school care. Give it time.
Take part in the active, conservative care your
La Grande chiropractor shares with you for at least 6-8 weeks to witness
some change because there’s no clear difference
between surgical (though quicker relief may come) and non-surgical
care after a year or two. (4) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC utilizes the Cox
Technic System of Spine Pain Management for La Grande 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 Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
Schedule a La Grande
chiropractic appointment to visit your La Grande
chiropractic back pain specialist about your La Grande back pain and
sciatica to take the curiosity out of the question about MRI’s role in your
La Grande back pain treatment plan.