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New and in pain.. Looking for opinions on MRI

I'm new here, so please bear with me. I posted in another area and didn't
T get any response.I know this is long, but I am really at my wits end.I have had back pain for years. Did the PT, injections chiro....no help. About a year ago, i consulted a neurologist and had a kyphoplasty due to a previous compression fracture at L1. That isn't the area where I have severe pain. I have pain in lower back and down left side of leg. Once the pain starts, my leg has this burning sensation, along with pain, Nothing helps take away the pain. I end up taking enough meds to just "knock" myself out to sleep. MRI stated I had a disc bulge at L5-S1 with accompanying 5.5 x 6.2 x 5.1 mm impinging the traversing left S1 nerve root along with neural foraminal stenosis at this level. Basically was told I was high risk and needed to lose weight. If it became unbearable, he would consider surgery. Now if you are still with me reading this, thank you. Three months ago I went for second opinion. This dr. told me I have hyperreflexia, decreased pinprick sensation globally and absent Achilles reflexes. Ordered MRI of cervical, thoracic and lumbar. MRI states I have MLD circumferential disc bulging at C6-C7, moderates stenosis at level C5-6 with central spinal caliber 7.5 MM with severe left foraminal narrowing. Mild degenerative anterolisthesis of C7 over T1 and unroofing of intervertebral disc. Have L4-5 interspinous bursa and severe loss of disc height with DDD at L5-S1. Discussed a C5-6 ACDF. Nothing said of my back. He never sit down with me and discussed anything other than neck surgery. I do have pain in my neck, but my lower back pain is severe and suffer from pain in midline back. He seemed to have no interest in my problem areas, but was all about the neck. I am so confused, frustrated, and tired of this pain. I just want my life back. I have since had a myelogram and will be seeing him on Thursday. But I am at a loss as to what to do or say. I am so sorry if this is so long. I guess I just needed to vent and try to get some direction of what to do,

Quote:

Originally Posted by aglick57 (Post 1178355)

I'm new here, so please bear with me. I posted in another area and didn't
T get any response.I know this is long, but I am really at my wits end.I have had back pain for years. Did the PT, injections chiro....no help. About a year ago, i consulted a neurologist and had a kyphoplasty due to a previous compression fracture at L1. That isn't the area where I have severe pain. I have pain in lower back and down left side of leg. Once the pain starts, my leg has this burning sensation, along with pain, Nothing helps take away the pain. I end up taking enough meds to just "knock" myself out to sleep. MRI stated I had a disc bulge at L5-S1 with accompanying 5.5 x 6.2 x 5.1 mm impinging the traversing left S1 nerve root along with neural foraminal stenosis at this level. Basically was told I was high risk and needed to lose weight. If it became unbearable, he would consider surgery. Now if you are still with me reading this, thank you. Three months ago I went for second opinion. This dr. told me I have hyperreflexia, decreased pinprick sensation globally and absent Achilles reflexes. Ordered MRI of cervical, thoracic and lumbar. MRI states I have MLD circumferential disc bulging at C6-C7, moderates stenosis at level C5-6 with central spinal caliber 7.5 MM with severe left foraminal narrowing. Mild degenerative anterolisthesis of C7 over T1 and unroofing of intervertebral disc. Have L4-5 interspinous bursa and severe loss of disc height with DDD at L5-S1. Discussed a C5-6 ACDF. Nothing said of my back. He never sit down with me and discussed anything other than neck surgery. I do have pain in my neck, but my lower back pain is severe and suffer from pain in midline back. He seemed to have no interest in my problem areas, but was all about the neck. I am so confused, frustrated, and tired of this pain. I just want my life back. I have since had a myelogram and will be seeing him on Thursday. But I am at a loss as to what to do or say. I am so sorry if this is so long. I guess I just needed to vent and try to get some direction of what to do,

So you had 2 MRIs and the older one showed the nerve root affected?, but the newer one only says this?
[ L4-5 interspinous bursa and severe loss of disc height with DDD at L5-S1]

How long between the MRIs?

Yes I had 2 MRI's 2 years apartx the second was actually the doctors report, but I looked and the actual MRI report says L5-S1 advanced facet arthropathy with mild thickening of the ligamentum flavum, end plate spurring and vacuum disc. Central canal/lateral recess stenosis, left foraminal opening. I have no idea what some of these mean as he didnt discuss with me about my back only my neck. There is a lot of other stuff o the report that doesn't sound like much concern.
.