Hello, I just need some help understanding an MRI report. I recently was involved in a MVA in which I have been having severe lower back pain which radiates to my legs at times, and neck pain which radiates to my arms at times only. This is what the MRI states:

There is a broad based more central mild disc protrusion of the disc L4-L5 indenting the thecal sac and causing mild central stenosis.

There is a left lateral focal protrusion of the disc at L5-S1 minimally encroaching the lateral recess.

Can someone please explain this to me in english. I went my primary doc and he says that I have 2 herinated disc, which in the long run I might need surgery, and you need to be out of work to rest your back, I do a lot of lifting of patients at work, and that I need to see a neurosurgeon (my attorney says the same thing). Then went to see a local ortho doc that told me, "you're fine, go back to work with no limitations, you're body will heal on it's own you only have bulging disc their not herinated. Is this ortho doc right or wrong? I thought that protrusion of a disc is the same thing as herniated disc.

Someone please educate me on all this.

GOD BLESS

I have had herniated disk pain: NO FUN. I always suggest that if it gets to the point where surgery is a serious option please consider acupuncture along with physical therapy first. It may sound silly at first but I speak from experience. It helped my herniated neck disk. At the risk of sounding like a spammer also consider a pillow I invented that alleviates my disk problem when the pain reappears. The SquidFace & ComfyRest pillows. Lying on my back or facedown it corrects the herniation and alleviates the pain. It helps people with back pain also. It is strange but it works wonders. Good luck, Bob

I am not a doctor, but I have had 6 back surgeries. I can tell you that a buldging disc is not a herniated disc. Buldging means just that. Herniated means the jelled stuff is spilling out. Most of the time bludging doesn't need surgery. I happen to need it with mine, but he waited 8 yrs. thru much pain. Usually a buldging falls to the right or left. Mine fell in to the center cutting the spinal fluid almost off. most doctors don't do surgery for some time, even when you are in pain. There are a lot of cases that are not helped. I can tell you of my experience only. I build scar tissue real easy so they go in and have to cut it out for it touches nerves. Then they have to fuse. It is no picnic. It is very painful and takes months to heal.

I am pain free today, thanks to good doctors and the Lord healing me. If you aren't satisfied, go to another DR. for a second opinion. Sorry I can't be of more help but it takes doctors reading your MRI's. Mild stenosis isn't much of a problem. I have had severe. Good Luck!
Blessings,
Billie

Hi playa ray,
I'm sorry to hear of your problems.
Your doing on of the best things you can do right now, research and then more research.
You want to find out all you can about your injury and your option of treatments. Knowledge will be your best friend, believe me.
I can only tell you from my own experience and yrs of researching, okay.
For myself I fell at work in 1999 and had never had anything more then the nagging back aches one gets from over extending ones self.
My first MRI read much like yours and I am now permanently disabled.
An MRI is not as reliable as the Dr's like to have you think, fact is that in the majority of people back problems will heal on their own with time and the right treatment, unfortunately that is not always the case.
As with me my injuries were much more extensive then just bulging disc as it was I had several tears in my disc also, which caused them to leak the gel out on to my nerves and going untreated ended up with permanent nerve damage.
Surgery should always be only as a last option, it probably wouldn't hurt for you to see a surgeon but I sure wouldn't jump in to and I wouldn't trust a Dr that would operate on me with just a DX as yours is at this point.
I don't agree with the Dr telling you it's okay to be going back to work and lifting and all.
You really need to seek out other opinions.
Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask all the questions you have and get answers you trust.
Linda

By the way Hi Billie!!!

Besides having an MRI, my doctor does a disogram. For the paitent, it is like a MRI, only more detailed. It does make xray film and soon after put me in a lot of pain that night. It was severe, but told the Dr. that he would operate. I can't explain why. I don't understand them that well.

Linda, is right, don't rush into anything. If they even mention a Discogram tho, do it. That is when they are considering surgery that they order it in the first place.

I started having problems in 1991. My pain just let up about December of last year, after healing from my last surgery in September. It is a long process and you need good doctors and surgeons with years of practice. I hope you do have good luck and do your reserch. When you don't understand what a DR. is saying ask a lot of questions.

PS. Hi Linda, good to see you on here!
Blessings,
Billie