How to Read a Spine MRI

In this video, Dr. Webb goes over (in basic terms) how to read a lumbar MRI.

To see Dr Webb as a patient, please contact:
Antonio J. Webb, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
South Texas Spinal Clinic
9150 Huebner Road Suite 290
San Antonio, Texas 78240
Office: 210-614-6432
Fax: [phone]

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The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website. Never rely on information on this website in place of seeking professional medical advice.

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[namtran-pesc]

Very good video. Before having back surgery, everyone should learn how to read an MRI.

[nancyblascak]

Thank you so much. I am a nurse who got hurt on the job. 27 yrs. ago, I have a central disc herniation at L4 L5 and S1. I have never had such pain, until I developed fibromyalgia secondary to injury. I had 40 psych patients in a c 200 bed nursing home for 5 years. I have been unable to work since, I was 50. I lost my ability to work. I had 5 surgeons tell me I needed surgery, but they were unwilling to do it. I am on my 3rd power chair n I am in assisted living since my husband passed away. I loved my nursing, no amount of money, could cover my loss of my legs.Thank you, you taught me more than I ever knew, or forgot at 77, lol.

[treyjohansen]

Dude, you’re friggin awesome! This is the perfect video to answer the general, broad-perspective understanding of what lower back MRI’s look like and the kinds of conditions that are visible. Great job, Doc!

[aaronfactor]

You did a great job! I’m not even in the medical profession and I was able to understand what you were saying. I just got an MRI for my lower back pain, and am waiting to hear the results. They gave me a disk with a copy of it so I wanted to take a look. Obviously I won’t be self diagnosing myself, but it was calming to take a look for myself before I hear back from my doctor.

[captainkirk]

Thanks for explaining in terms even this truck driver can follow.
I've got severe pain in the piriformis/butt area. Going for Lumbar MRI today.

[Noway-huwo]

This was my MRI except switch L5 with L4. Literally same disc issues but reversed. I finally got surgery to fix it after being denied off a previous MRI from 10/1/24 on 3/2024 onward, that didn't show this level of herniation and degeneration. However, my pain, my system only got worse so I demanded a new MRI in 9/2024 and this is what it showed. Had emergent surgery last week because symptoms got worse. Couldn't feel my leg or bladder. Sure enough, my follow up MRI in October looked worse than this and I was fixed.

It's a miracle. A true miracle because I was denied so many times before finally having relief after being told surgery wouldn't help me.

Surgery helped me. I feel like a brand new person. My fucking god.

Thank you for providing this video!! I feel so good knowing it read those MRIs and my pain right!!

[TheLionman]

I love these types of videos! I work with physicians and crnas who specialize in pain management and was always wanting to learn how to read x-rays and MRIs. Seeing videos like this make me want to push towards med school and becoming a neuro surgeon!

[jilliansmaniotto]

this video is awesome. i’m a workers compensation attorney so i’m constantly up to my eyeballs in medical records and having to walkthrough the nitty gritty of these cases with docs, with a ton of my cases being back/neck injuries. this was so damn helpful for me in better understanding some of this anatomy and the pathology of the findings. more of this please!!!

[jamesconner]

Congratulations on such a well produced post. I'm 77 now, getting a few ailments myself and mom is 98. Back when I was a teen, I could ever have envisioned being able to actually see this level medical info, and an explanation in standard English. I had Organic Chemistry and Human Anatomy as electives (yes, as an accountant...lol..) in college, but that was late 60s. It is actually very rewarding to see I still understand some of the latest info...lol. Never stop learning !!

[aaronlouis]

Dr. Webb, these are great! You should definitely do more videos like this with CAT’s, Cardiograms, even vital sign screens!

[bonnieabrs]

I have many issues with L & S. Pain, numbness, tingling, sensation of bee stings & bug bites, feeling of water running down my legs. Regarding the bug bites, real bites I don’t feel!
I have had to rebuild my life several times to find something I can do to lesson depression. It’s like a constant kick in the teeth.
My deepest sympathies & awareness to all who are in this boat with me. Thanks for a great lesson, doc!

[tommysnacks]

This video was very informative and helpful for me as I went to look through the MRI images from a recent lumbar MRI. This helped me better understand specifically what I was looking at and looking for prior to getting my formal results from the doctor. You do a very good job describing and explaining the important things to look for and how they might present as symptoms. Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video and best of luck to you in your practice!

[wesgreen]

I LOVE your channel! Thank you for taking the time to do this! I've had 9 back surgeries 5 of which being spinal fusion but never clearly understood what they were doing or the goals until your channel. Truly a God sent me friend thank you!

[newlife]

Just now watched, learned about my L1-L5...now I undersand why I have my feet feel tingly pressure because of the L4-S1 to L5.. You are awesome!

[andremurphy]

Dr. Webb. Thank you for this very informative video. 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease. Fast forward. A couple days ago, I went to CityMD to get my leg checked out. I was having a little tenderness in my lower leg and I noticed my foot slapping the ground when I walked. I was immediately sent to the ER. I had an MRI done and within a span of two hours, I went from having what I thought was a sore leg, to being told I needed surgery. I immediately looked up videos of what they were telling me and came across yours. Your explanation was right on point. I had the surgery and I'm now 2 days post-op. Numbness and tingling went away almost immediately. I just have to get the strength back. Thank you for putting me at ease before my surgery.

[carmenabercrombie]

Thank you so much for the valuable, uncomplicated information you provided to many of us with back issues. I have been suffering for years with upper and lower back problems and foot an leg pain, with very minimal or unclear about our ailment. For instance, my foot and leg problem began after L3, L4, and L5 got out of control. Now I know why. Thanks again.

[scrambledi.]

Thank you Dr webb. I'm just a lay person trying to understand my MRI so I can halfway understand what my doctor is going to tell me. That was an awesome job of breaking it down. what helped me put together everything you were talking about was a slideshow on Google called "Applied cross-sectional anatomy of spinal cord". it was a great visual aid to help me understand some of the more advanced terminology you were using.

[yellowglider]

Very interesting video. In the past few years I’ve had the chance to look at MRI, mostly my own, so I really appreciate your contribution. I’m 68 and I’m in generally good health, always kept active with quite some sport. Two years ago I’ve suffered from a severe stenosis that was crippling my back. It progressed to the point that wasn’t able to walk for more than 50 yard and I was constantly in pain, and my calves were atrophied. Last year I had a four levels laminectomy (L1 to L4) and it worked like a miracle, now I’m back to hiking, biking, skiing, rowing, no problems. The calves came back probably 95%. I love surgeons!!!

[pinealmagic]

I am experiencing some personal orthopedic spine challenges, due to a childhood surgery that I had done many moons ago (i.e. scoliosis/Harrington rod instrumentation). About to have reconstructive surgery. Have watched dozens of videos on this topic, however, your explanation was by FAR! the BEST!!! May you have an AWESOME, SPECTACULAR!!!, career. Thank You Dr. Antonio.

[juliepritchett]

I was misdiagnosed in the ER in 2009, they said I had sciatica, but I had recovered from a previous compression factor to my lower spine, due to a slip and fall. The ER refused to do any imaging with this knowledge. They pumped me full of pain pills and sent me home, where I fell asleep in my bed. When I awoke and turned to get out of bed, I could feel myself going numb from the waist down. I had a large habitation of my disc, which immediately caused Cauda Equina Syndrome. I had emergency surgery the next day. It was a failed surgery. I had 3 more failed surgeries in a 4 month period, I was sent home with an open wound to my spine, staph infection at my surgical site and a pic line. I had the worst surgeon ever, who is still in practice to this day. I had a full back MRI 3 weeks ago. I find them fascinating. Unfortunately, Im looking at more surgery on my neck and back. Thanks for your explanation of an MRI.