I've seen my doctor. He minimized the MRI report and told me just to do the exercises in the McKenzie book he gave me and made an appt. for a 6 week followup. He mentioned an spinal epidural steroid shot for the future and gave me Mobic-15mg. But, somethings not right. Can you help me understand these findings from the Radiologist? My mom has DDD and has major back surgery. She was 60 at surgery, now she is 70, I'm 45. I handle health problems better if I have all the facts, including what the future may hold for me.

Findings:
There is mild spondylitic change and fatty degenerative endplate changes from L1-L2 to S1-S2. A high signal hemangioma of bone is noted within the body of L4.

L5-S1:There is diminished T2 signal within the intervertebral disc consistent with disc degeneration and desiccation. There is left foraminal disc protrusion extending into the left-sided neural foramen causing moderate left-sided neural foraminal stenosis with possible impingement upon the left L5 nerve root. No significant compromise of the spinal canal or rights-sided neural foramen.

The signal within the lower thoracic spinal cord is normal.

Impression
1. Disc desiccation with left foraminal protrusion at L5-S1 leading to monderate left-sided neural foraminal stenosis and probable compression of the left L5 nerve root.
2. Degenerative facet arthrosis more prominent on the left at L5-S1.
3. Well developed S1-S2 disc. correlation with plain films is necessary if surgery is planned.

Please help me understand all this in laymans terms. My left buttocks and entire left leg, including the back of my knee is in pain most of the time. It also feels numb, burning, tingly. Even the top of my left foot is swelling. It hurts most when I am up. I dare not go grocery shopping without taking an anti-inflamatory
Thanks, Teacups

I would get a second opinion. You should also call the doctor back and state that after reviewing the report, you would like it put into more understandable terms. Sometimes doctors from one group tend to follow the original docs recommendation. If you can afford it or have the option at all to go to a doc in a different group then you might get a better second opinion. (say like you are with Kaiser then you don't want a second opinion with Kaiser you want it through blue cross)