hi. Im new here although I have responded to a couple posts already. This really seems like a fantastic site here to me so far! Im so glad I found it. I cane here in search of news and research for my MRI results. I find that many people ask here for their MRI results to please be translated into english. That sounds great to me with mine also! L-4 and L-5 level 3 mm diffuse posterier disc bulges. Bilateral facet joint and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Mild to moderate bilateral foraminal encroachment & Stenosis. Impingement of exiting nerve roots bilatterally at the lateral recess. At L-5-S1 level, 3 mm diffuse posterior disk bulge. Impression: Disk bulge at L-4 and L-5 level with bilateral foraminal Stenosis with Nerve Root Impingement. I was told that my spinal cord nerves arent functioniing normally. Compression on spinal cord is causing left leg and foot pain and numbness and occasional bladder malfunction.

Please anyoone help me with translating and understanding what exactly this all means to me and if any kind of surgery can and/or will possibly help benefit me. I realize I do need to talk to my dr more about the surgery, but until then, Id REALLY REALLY appreciate help in understanding this. Its scary to not understand all this medical lingo. Thank you all once again for recently becoming a freash new important part of my life now! Because NOW i really do not feel so much alone! Oh. And one more thing. I just started on the Fentynal Patch 25 mcg. Im instructed to change it every 72 hrs. Twice a day when needed, I take Percocet 5/325 mg also. Does any of this sound familiar to any of you fellow spinal brothers and sisters?? lol. Thank you all once again! Mykinzie.

Hope you're still hanging around the board.

I did reply to your request but don't know what happened. It didn't get posted. Then I couldn't find you. Had to get help. "Kitty" found your post for me.


I'll try. not a doc but for what it's worth, I hope it will help you start understanding your back, according to an MRI reading.




"L-4 and L-5 level 3 mm diffuse posterier disc bulges."

L-4/L-5 means lumbar vertebra 4, the disc, and then the lumbar vertebra 5/low back. The vertebra is hard/bony tissue. The disc is soft tissue and is between the two bony vertebrae. The disc acts as a cushion/shock absorber. It is your disc that has the problem. Not the vertebrae bone. "posterior" means it is at the back of the disc. "Bulge" is like a knot on a tire. Your disc has a knot at the back of it. A bulge is much better than herniation. "herniation" is basically a hole in the disc and you don't have that.

bulges are not usually surgical - bulges can also heal and go back in place. I had one do that. I'm working on strengthening my core/stomach/abs so my own muscles can hold my bulges in place.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

"Bilateral facet joint and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy."

"Bilateral" means both sides/right and left. "Facet joint" is location on bony vertebrae. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...M8PYlAfn7LDHCQ

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=...g4g-m1&start=0

"ligamentum flavum" throughout your spinal column, guarantees flexibility and stability of the spinal column. connective tissue to the vertebrae/bony structure of the articulating spine.

"hypertropy" indicates aging changes/injury/arthritis/swelling.

"Mild to moderate bilateral foraminal encroachment & Stenosis."

mild to moderate is the degree of stenosis/narrowing at the foramen/opening. You should see that in the above diagrams. can definitely cause pain.

"Impingement of exiting nerve roots bilatterally at the lateral recess."

impingement/stenosis/pinching/compressing of nerve roots on both sides at that level.

lateral recess = http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...HpHe8Abl6K3vCA

At L-5-S1 level, 3 mm diffuse posterior disk bulge.

http://thechiroblogsite.com/?p=115


Impression: Disk bulge at L-4 and L-5 level with bilateral foraminal Stenosis with Nerve Root Impingement. OUCH!!!!!!!!!

"I was told that my spinal cord nerves arent functioniing normally. Compression on spinal cord is causing left leg and foot pain and numbness and occasional bladder malfunction."

That can happen. sorry...

Hope it's not too choppy and you're still around.

I do apologize for getting back to you so late.

Keep in touch.

Wow that was a great definition.

I love the way you did that.

Thanks

Donna