MRI Help please.
 

I went to a walk in clinic for lower back pain last month. They sent me for an MRI and now to get my results I'd have to wait until DECEMBER for an appointment. I'd really like to at least get an understanding of my results. I know that no one can give me exact answers but can anyone help me with the basics of what all this means?!? Please...

At L1-2 There is mild diskogenic spondylosis but no compromise.
At L2-3 There is mild diskogenic spondylosis but no compromise.
No significant disease at L3-4
At L4-5 There is diffuse intervertebral disk bulging greater left sided resulting in mild narrowing of the neural foramina.
At L5-S1 There is facet and diskogenic spondylosis with sub annular hyperintensity seen signal consistent with annular tear and diffuse bulging but no compromise identified.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks.

Maybe I can help a little.

At L1-2 & L2-3 - the spondylosis is bone spurs. So you have bone spurs that do NOT press on the nerves or on the spinal cord. They aren't causing any "harm" supposedly.

L3-4 is fine -- no problem

L4-5 - You have a bulging disc that is narrowing the neural foramina -- the neural foramina is the hole that the nerves run thru to get to the spinal cord.

L5-S1 - You have bone spurs at the facets & discs (??) along with an annular tear & a bulging disc. The facets are those "wing-like" things that protrude from your back, especially when you hunch over -- they're on both sides of the spinal cord. The annula is a fluid filled sac that the disc sits in. You have a tear in yours. Plus the disc bulge, but nothing seems to be compromising the nerves or the spinal cord.


I hope this helps a little. Maybe someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong -- but I'm pretty sure this is what is going on. Best of luck and let us know what the doctor says. Hugs, Lee ;)

FWIW....

My orthopedic surgeon (and others) have told me that bone spurs are actually one way the body uses to protect itself, and part of the aging process. So as long as they don't impinge on any nerves, they're not necessarily of great concern. Unfortunately, sometimes they do impinge, and that can be problematic. They're also like fingerprints/snowflakes; every one is different.

Doc