Attached is my MRI results...
1. L3-L4 has a large left paracenteral disk herniation, causing nerve compression and mild stenosis.
2. L4-L5 has a medium disc bulge causing nerve compression on the root sleve and spinal stenosis.
3. The
(forgot the name of the muscle)?? is unremarkable in size and signal intensity.
4. The Bone Marrow is unremarkable.
I am no expert but I think my L4-L5 may have DDD, lets hope not
.
Leesa to anwser your question I have been having pain since mid Febuary and have been having muscle weakness since mid March.
I am very motivated to conduct some aggressive physical therapy however, I have been told that if I feel pain while conducting stretches I am doing damage and shout stop. Well, my current PT regime is painful. sooo, I am picking and choosing the excersises that don't hurt like you said pete.
Thank you for the information pete I am taking your advice into consideration for sure. I'm trying to stay out of surgery. My biggest problem is that I am a grounded pilot. The Army isn't about to wait 6 months to a year to see if I get better, meanwhile paying me flight pay and my salary while I am doing nothing for the Army. This means the Army wants to see results now, and the current climate of active duty aka sequestration means they might just cut me loose if I don't have a plan for my recovery, this situation has the pressure up and I have a lot of time to research and figure out a plan. Granted, I have the rest of my life and health to think about but I am dedicated to my job and my country and I'll do everything I can to stay in the military, while maintaining my health.
Pete, thank you for your advice, I will start working more on the stretches that don't hurt me.
During the week, I do a ton of physical therapy and try and stay active, on the weekends I stretch, and lay in bed with a heat pack trying to rest my back and get ready for the next week. I don't feel that the PT is helping but I will stay optimistic and continue until my neurosurgery appointment. I have an appointment with the chrio on monday, NO MANIPULATION! all I want is spinal decompression, I am still skeptical about chrios....