Hi! I've been experiencing continued low back pain despite steroids and physical therapy for several months.

Findings:

There is no marrow edema. There is disc desiccation at L5 through S1 without loss of intervertebral disc space height. The conus is located at T12-L1 and is unremarkable. Parasagittal STIR imaging demonstrates no ligamentous disruption and no paraspinous muscle edema.

At L5-S1 there is a minimal broad-based disc protrusion. There is minimal facet hypertrophy. There is no central canal stenosis and no neural foraminal narrowing.

At L4-5 there is a tiny annular tear. There is a minimal broad-based disc protrusion. There is a small amount of fluid in bilateral facet joints. The pedicles are somewhat short. There is no frank central canal stenosis and no neural foraminal narrowing.

T12 through L4 are unremarkable.

IMPRESSION:
1. Mild degenerative changes at L4 through S1
2. No central canal stenosis, no neural foraminal narrowing
3. There is a minimal amount of fluid in bilateral facet joints at L4-5. This can be symptomatic in and of itself.

So... there it is... I'd really like to know what that all means - and HOW SERIOUS IS IT? I'm in a LOT of pain right now... and I dont feel like my DR has taken me seriously... any suggestions? Should I see a specialist? If so... what kind?

THANKS SOOOO MUCH!!
Any info is appreciated!

Hi Jenny,

have no medical background but recognise some of your MRI report and can reassure on parts of it I hope. no stenosis is a big plus and also no foraminal narrowing (if either of these existed u would most likely have nerve pain) the slight tear in the disc can be extremely painful and disc can take up to 2 years to heal themselves - BUT they do heal. surgery is not necessary because of this and should be avoided unless ABSOLUTELY neccessary and with a number of similar opinions. one treatment that works very well for this is inversion therapy. disc degeneration basically means small arthritic changes and this can get worse if you dont look after your back. dont stoop, crouch or sit in a slumped way, to help heal your disc be very careful, dont lift heavy objects, bend and twist, sweeping motions can really aggravate a painful disc. degeneration is the disc drying out, discs are not fed from the blood supply but traction like actions (under a physio guidance as you have an injury and need to do these within limits) effectively excercise the vertebrae and force fluid into the disc with the motions. also drink lots of water. it is sad oestrogen can help stave of degeneration to some degree, good posture and care in movements can help prevent uneccessary wear and tear. I wish you well on your road to recovery and being pain free...hope this helps somewhat.

Hi Jenny ~ Pretty much what the other poster said, except you do have a disc protrusion (bulge) at L5-S1, and that can hurt. It's not a herniation yet.

The annular tear can HURT. That fluid is kind of acidic I guess and it is painful. How much it is leaking, it doesn't say.

This isn't an emergency, and I doubt if anyone would operate. I think if I were you, I'd ask for a referral to a pain management specialist and take your report with you so he knows what you have. At pain management, there are alot of conservative options for pain relief. You do NOT want surgery if you don't have to. That should ALWAYS be a last resort!!! You are NEVER the same after surgery, and surgery almost always leads to more and more surgery. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

The conus is located at T12-L1

My newest MRI has this statement, I don't know what it means. And this MRI is different than the one done 2 yrs ago. It shows less damage.

No T zones were done, only C and L zones. Where as the one 2 yrs ago had all 3 zones.

L4/5 biateral facet arthropathy, R sided annular tear present. Diffuse disc Bulge, very mild spinal stenosis at this level, no foraminal encroachment.
L5-S1 loss of dis height. No significant dis bulge or focal herniation, no protuerane on neural foramina.
Lumbar vertebral body heights and marro signal appear normal alignment normal, conus at the T 12-L1. Impression Facet arthropathy, annular tear L 4. L1-4 levels normal.

C3-5 mild disc bulge, hypertrophy is present on Left, left sided foraminal stenosis, right-sided foraminal narrowing. C4/5 greater degree of diffuse disc bulge, this is in clost proximity to spinal cord but down not compress cord. Biateral uncovertebral hypergtrophy is present with bilateral foraminal stay stenosis.

C5/6 diffuse bulge close proximity to spinal cord, no compression, bilateral hypertrophy present with bilateral foraminal stenosis. 2 mm anterior subluxation of C5 in relation to C6

C 6/7 minimal disc bulge 2mm anterior subluxation of C6 in relation to C7,

C7- T 1 normal

Impression encroachment at C3 right, C4 biateral and C5 biateral

The MRI from 2 years ago shows bone spurs, bulge at the T 11-12, annular tear. L4/5 compression fracture impinging on S1

The L4 annular tear is new, PT popped the disc I heard it, and felt the sting. By the time I got home I had pain radiating down my spine, through my hips, and down both legs. This has been an ongoing issue for a year before I could get a new MRI done.

I do not understand the big differences in the 2 sets of MRI's both done by different Neurosurgeons. I am in constant level 7-8 pain, can't take pain meds the cause drug induced GERD/IBS bad. Same goes for the Osteo drugs, they tore up my GI system.