My short story is that from a jet skit accident, I had a mild fracture to the L3 in June 2004. I healed since then but never felt 100% since! (low back pain and bilateral leg pain/spasm). But the severe pains/pinches left after the 1st year.. only decreased to mild.

Seems like "all of a sudden" the week before Christmas this year, my low back began severe sharp, shooting pain and extreme spasms from my mid-back down through both legs. It has been exactly 4 weeks and I went through 3 weeks anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers. Absolutely no improvement.

My Dr. ordered my MRI which is confusing. Both he and the radiologist said I had fully recovered from the fracture 2 1/2 yrs ago as far as the bones and disks. But they said whatever I show on the MRI is rare. It reads:
"Findings: The conus medullaris terminates at the inferior L2 level, within the lower limits of normal. There is normal variation in the position of the conus, but positioning inferior to the L2-3 disk is considered abnormal. Additionally, there is a fatty filum terminale which is not thickened. While these may represent incidental findings, clinical correlation as to symptoms of tethered cord is recommended."

I know this is a lot, but is there any way you can help me understand this more? I am to see a neurologist next week, but I am very worried. They seem to think what is going on might be congenital. This confuses me. Can you please help me? I am only 22 and my daily living is awful.

I used to be very active.. karate, sports, you name it. Now I can barely stand to walk around my house, let alone work or go grocery shopping. I am a newlywed of 5 months who is worried about being able to carry my children in the future!!

Just so it is stated... there was not one thing that I did which made this pain return so heavily 4 weeks ago.. not even newlywed things. Unfortunately I hurt too much for anything since the original accident, let alone that. But I was actually seeming like I was getting better right before the Christmas pain. Help!