After hurting horribly the doctor sent me for MRI's of my cervical and lumbar areas. The results state that
"C3-4 shows broad disc bulging indenting the thecal sac and narrowing the left neural foramen"
"Left foraminal narrowing"
"C4-5 level shows broad disc bulging"
"C5-6 level show disc bulge indenting the thecal sac"
"C6-7 shows a central disc protrusion and annular disc tear"
"There is diffuse straightening of the expected cervical lordosis"

"L5-S1 - broad disc bulge impinging on the thecal sac"
"L4-5 - broad disc bulge indenting the thecal sac"
"There is a straightening of the expected lumbar lordosis"
"Central disc protrusion visible at T11-12 with indenting the thecal sac"

All I can understand from this is bulging discs. I've no clue what indenting the thecal sac means, disc protrusions or annular disc tears mean to me. I was told that the foraminal narrowing indicated pinched nerves.
Please help me to understand what this means! Thanks so so much.

The doctor explained that the new findings mean 2 herniated discs in my neck and 1 herniated disc in my lower back in addition to my previous bulging discs. Not good news but I am glad to know what it all means.

Hello Bam35 and WELCOME to NeuroTalk!

I'm sorry to hear of your back troubles and pain.. I, unfortunate know nothing about MRI's or how to interpret them.

Here is the link to our back pain forum that may be able to help you.

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere. You are welcome to make yourself at home, pull up your chair, kick off your shoes and stay a while.

Should you have any questions or need any assitance please do not hesitate to ask, someone will always be around shortly to help in any way that we are able.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.

Abbie

Welcome to NT!

I'm so sorry about the pain you are suffering. It's too bad that we have to suffer like this. The only good thing about it is that it brings us all together here. NT is full of support and understanding.

I know I could never understand MRI interpretations either. May as well be written in chinese
Hang in there tho, answers will eventually come.
Meanwhile, check out the forums here - I see Abbie has pointed you to a good starting place

It's great to have you!

Caring,
Rae

Bam35,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, welcome to a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene