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MRI Lumbar Findings HELP

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 9/4/2012 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
hi guys...i have been in chronic pain for years with my back...i have tried physical therapy, injections, burning nerves...ect....i just got a more recent MRI and there are a few things I am concerned about. Please help me understand what these mean:

lumbar levoscoliosis centerd at approximately L2-3. Degenerative endplate changes and mild degenerative chronic compression of the anterior-superior corner of the L2 vertebral segment is demonstrated without compression fractures. Minimal fatty degenerative marrow changes are present at L4, L5 and S1. The conus terminaltes at L1-2.

Moderate disc degeneration is present at L2-3, L4-5 and L5-S1. L2-3 smal generalized annular disc bulge is present

L4-5: a small generalized annular dis bulge is present with a super imposed central and left paracentral small focal disc protrusion which measures up to aprx 4mm AP and causes minimal focal left paracentral and central spinal stenosis

L5-S1: a broad based posterior disc protrusion which measures apx 5-6mm AP is present with superimposed left paracentral small extruded component which measures 6mm AP x aprx 9mm craniocaudal. The displaced disc contacts the descending left s1 nerve root and causes mild left paracentral and left subarticular zone stenosis and in combination with minimal facet DJD, mild bilateral nueral foraminal stenosis. The dis protrusion touches the inferior surface of the existing L5 nerve roots in the neutral foramina bilaterally without nerve root displacement or compression

Right S1 and S2 dilated nerve root sleeves or nerve root sleeve cysts are demonstrated.

Impression: Mile to moderated multilevel dic degeneration with disc herniation at L4-5 and L5-s1 as described above...


I go see my dr Friday...im worried about needing surgery...can anyone make sense of this for me...what exactly am i looking at?? Thanks
Posted 9/4/2012 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there...Welcome to the boards...

Unfortunately no one here is a medical professional so we can't read the MRI results to give you any information...

I certainly know what some of the words and things mean based on my own MRIs over the years and fusion surgeries...but it's up to your Dr. to look at these as well as go along with the physical exam and what they feel is the best treatment for you.

Keep in mind that many people starting at the age of 25-30 start having degenerative discs and things like bone spurs or even herniations. But some people have absolutely no symptoms or pain and others can have not much going on with their MRI but severe pain..

So the MRI is just one tool that a good Board Certified Neurosurgeon or BC Orthopedic surgeon will use to figure out the best treatment ahead for you.

And if they feel that you have tried every single non surgical approach....there are other surgeries and not just fusion that can be used to alleviate some pain and symptoms.

The key is if they say surgery is necessary....make sure you go get one or two MORE opinions from other Board Certified Drs. who are not in the same practice. This way, if they all are saying the same thing...then you can feel more confident this is the way to go.

The other good news is that most people who have surgery do well and go on to have little to no pain and manageable symptoms. What you read on a board like this (chronic pain) or anywhere online about surgeries....you are going to get everything slanted more in the negative. And those of us on here have had surgeries or other health issues that led us to chronic pain.

So just take things with a grain of salt that way....

The one words that I can at least comment on with the Impression of the MRI is "mild to moderate"....and that is good. Surgery is usually considered with it reads "moderate to severe or just severe"...

But again..not a Dr....just basing it on my own knowledge.

I'm sure they will go over everything on Friday for you..Hopefully they have you on a nerve pain medication and/or a muscle relaxer to help with those type of pains in the meantime...

Keep us posted..
Posted 9/4/2012 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much. That makes me feel a little better. I think its the waiting to find out that has me nervous. I love this site and the forums. I feel like i am not the only one dealing with this sort of thing. :)
Posted 9/4/2012 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I feel for you...waiting to see the DR. and get results is always the hardest part.

The other good part is that they are finding new and better ways to do less invasive types of surgery to help alleviate nerve root problems and the lumbar region treatments always get approved first by the FDA.

So...hopefully whatever they say needs to be done to help you...you can come here for support and empathy and talk to others that have probably been through the same thing. We have a member today who is getting back surgery and they are using one of the newer methods for this.

Again..hopefully they have been treating you with medication to help ease the pain some with your nerves and muscles. I assume you have done steroid treatments as well? Either by injection or Medrol dose pack?

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 9/4/2012 9:40:14 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/4/2012 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
yes both for the steriods i mean. and they have me on neurotin for nerve pain...which doesnt work that well...and lortab and robaxin. I think they need to rethink my meds. I have also tried injections and i think he was wanting to try epidural ones again to see...but hopefully i will find out the details friday. thank you i need support. I feel like everyone thinks im just complaining or being lazy...but this pain is ruining my life. I have a husband and 3 boys and a full time job. And it just gets overwhelming.
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