Posted 8/6/2010 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Pebbles, thanks. I have great records on all medical and non medical issued relating since the accident occurred, and also have a lawyer to manage WC for me if things get put off too long. OK, so here is what the most recent MRI shows, and it is far worse than the last one that was 5 years ago.
History: Chronic low back pain, increased since MVA on 6/8/2010. Left leg pain.
MR of lumbar spine without contrast.
Findings: The prior study of 9/28/2002 is no longer available for comparison.
The conus medullaris appears normal. It terminates at T1 2-1_1 level. No associated mass or syrinx.
There is a mild levoscoliosis of the lumbar spine. On the sagittal images, the normal lordosis of the lumbar spine is lost with straightening. There is a mild retrolisthesis of L5 over SI. No
fracture is seen. The bone marrow signals are unremarkable. There is disc desiccation from L2-L3 through L5-S1 levels. L2-L3 and L4-L5 levels have anterior osteophytes, severe disc space narrowing and moderate degenerative endplate changes.
L1-L2 level is unremarkable.
L2-L3 level has a mild concentric osteophyte/disc bulge, extending
into neural foramen bilaterally. This causes mild stenosis abutting bilateral L3 nerve roots. The facet joints are mildly degenerative. There is mild bilateral neural foramen narrowing without nerve root compression.
L3-L4 level has a mild concentric disc bulge causing mild stenosis and abutting bilateral L4 nerve roots. There is a tiny superimposed left posterior lateral annulus tear. The central canal is mildly stenotic. The facet joints are minimally degenerative. There is minimal neural foramen narrowing bilaterally.
L4-L5 level has a moderate concentric osteophyte/disc bulge, more towards the right lateral aspect. L4 vertebral body has slightly subluxed laterally to the left over L5. The thecal sac is slightly deformed due to combination of spondylosis and scoliosis. There is moderate left and mild right degenerative facet arthropathy. The spinal canal stenosis is slightly more on the left. There is moderate right and mild left neural foramen narrowing.
L5-S1 level has a mild retrolisthesis and concentric osteophyte/disc bulge, more prominent toward the left lateral aspect. The disc bulge causes effacement of ventral epidural space, abutting bilateral S1 nerve roots. No thecal sac encroachment. The degenerative facet arthropathy is mild on the right and moderate on the left. There is severe left neural foraminal narrowing with left L5 nerve root compression. The right neural foramina is moderately narrowed.
Impression:
Mild levoscoliosis and diffuse lumbar spondylosis as described above
I have my '02 as well as '05 results but this is what is relevant for what is going on now.
thanks
JRS