Hi,

I've been experiencing severe numbness in my left leg with lower back pain and just got back the results from the MRI. The doctor's office only said I have bulging discs and to get PT. I tried Googling some of the result terms and ended up here.

I stopped by the office today, signed for the report, and here's what is says:

"At L3-L4, there is a broad-based annular bulge without central canal stenosis. There is mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing with ligamentous hypertrophy noted.

At L4-L5, there is a broad-based posterior disc bulge. There is mild central canal stenosis in conjunction with facet hypertrophy and ligamentous laxity. There is NO appreciable neural foraminal narrowing.

At L5-S1, there is a broad-based posterior disc bulge. There is NO appreciable central canal or neural foraminal stenosis.

Impression: Mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine as described."

Is it possible for someone to explain what this means?

Thank you!

Hi - Maybe I can help a little.

At L3-4, you have a disc bulge, but the spinal canal is NOT narrowed because of it. You have neural foraminal narrowing -- the neural foramen is the hole that the nerves pass thru to the spinal cord. That is narrowing.

At L4-5 you have a disc bulge, and the central spinal canal is mildly narrowed. Facet hypertrophy is an overgrowth of bone from the facets -- the facets are the "winglike" structures on each side of the spine. You can see them when you hunch over -- they kind of stick out.

At L5-S1 you have only a disc bulge.

You have "degenerative disc disease" which is a drying out of the discs, which tends to flatten them and then they bulge & herniate. EVERYONE gets this, which happens as we age, but not everyone has pain with it. Some of us get DDD earlier than others too.

Hope I helped a little! Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee