Hello. I'm a 47 yr lady trying to live a normal life. I've had "back problems" for years, mainly degenerative disc disease which everyone gets but 3 wks ago I experienced what was worse than I ever have in my back and no I didn't have an injury, fall or feel it "go out". I've had a sciatic problem in the past but this is no where similar to what I experienced in the past. I have been in the emergency room twice in a week. Pain in left buttock, hip, around to top of thigh and into knee. I just got my MRI results and am awaiting an appointment to see my NeuroSurgeon for a consult. I'm usually fairly savy with medical terminology as I used to work in medical field but this is out of my scope. Seems my problem is L3-L4 but can someone tell me if this automatically means surgery or will I be able to use conservative tx initiallly like steroid epidurals? I know stenosis is narrowing. I had a fusion of C5-C6 a year and a half ago as the disc had ruptured. I just don't want instant surgery unless I have to. Any comments appreciated

MRI
The L2-L3 disc level shows some very mild desiccation but there is no disc protrusion or spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis.

The L3-L4 disc level shows desiccation and loss of height and there is broad-based posterior protrusion at the left posterior aspect of the disc. This results in some significant left lateral recess stenosis and there is posterior displacement and encroachment upon the left L4 nerve
root. This finding was not present on the prior study of 09/23/09.

The L4-L5 disc level shows some desiccation. There is some very mild posterior disc osteophyte formation but no significant spinal canal stenosis. There is some mild facet degenerative change.

The L5-S1 disc level shows desiccation but no disc protrusion.

IMPRESSION: Prominent left posterior protrusion of the L3-L4 disc, which was not present on
the prior study and is resulting in some left lateral recess narrowing and some mass effect and encroachment upon the left L4 nerve root. The finding
was not present on prior study of 09/23/09. No other changes.

totomac,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Click onto the following forum there you should find some assistance:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Welcome to NT!

You've come to a wonderful place of support and understanding.
People here are very easy to talk to and the atmosphere is very down-to-earth. Make yourself right at home!

Look thru the different forums and post anywhere you feel inclined. You'll find a friendly face around every corner!
Darlene has given you a good place to start. I hope you can get some answers regarding your back problems very soon!

Just holler if you have any questions or need help in finding your way around!

It's great to have you!

Rae

Thanks for the greetings. I have my consult with my NeuroSurgeon on Wednesday but I was hoping someone would be able to attempt to decipher the verbiage for me. I know stenosis is narrowing and closing in giving a tighter space. I'm trying to "pre determine" if he will say I need surgery now to alleviate the pain or if he will try conservative measures first. I know every doc and patient is different and you can get multiple senarios... the waiting game is what is so so hard. My numbness now encompasses my entire thigh into my knee and am starting to lose my balance at times.

I'll try to help:

At L2-3 you have drying out of the disc.

At L3-4 you have drying out of the disc, loss of space between the vertebra;, a broad based disc herniation at the rear of the disc, resulting in significant left lateral recess stenosis; there is rear displacement & encroachment on the left L4 nerve.

L4-5 You have some drying out of the disc. There are mild rear bone spurs. There are some mild facet degenerative changes. The facets are the "wing-like" structures on each side of the spinal cord. If you hunch your back, you can feel and see them.

L5-S1 Drying out of disc.

I'M NO DOCTOR -- but looking at this, I DOUBT he would operate. He might offer it, but personally I would turn it down, and try ALL CONSERVATIVE METHODS available. The only way i would undergo surgery would be if the spinal cord was impinged or if I was in danger of permanent nerve damage, I don't really see any imminent danger here. I would opt for physical therapy along with pool therapy. Then if that didn't work, I'd go with pain management.

let us know what happens will you? I'd really like to know. I hope everything turns out okay! God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee