[d4ever]

I got my results and not sure what it is saying!
The conujs medullaris normal. No pre or paraspinal abnormalities. Transitional anatomies are se within lumbosacral spine with S1 vertebral body having partial lumbarized configuration. For the purpose of counting the last well developed disc space is counted as S1-S2.
L4-L5 thereis a mild difufuse disc buldge with small to moderate sized focal super impossd central disc protrusion. The disc protrusion is minimal super extension behind the interior aspect of the L4 veterbal body.This is having mild to moderate effet aspect of thhe theacl sac and together with facet artropathy and hypertrophy contributes to cause mild to moderate central canal stenosis as well as mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.


PLease someone let me know what this means!

[Leesa]

Hi ~ It says you have a disc protrusion at L4-5. It is pushing on the thecal sac, which is a membrane of dura matter that surrounds the spinal cord and the cauda equina, and is filled with spinal fluid. This bulge also contributes to spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spinal canal, and it also causes foramenal narrowing. The foramen is the hole which the nerves pass thru from the spinal cord.

I hope that helped a little bit. I doubt that at this point, you're a surgical candidate, but I'M NOT A DOCTOR, so you must ask your doctor about this. Be sure and get HIS opinion!!! Best of luck and keep us posted on what happens. Hugs, Lee

[glenntaj]

--it means that at one disc level--the one between your fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (lower back, right above the butt) there is bulging--a projection out of disc material--and a little disc protrusion, meaning that it has shifted in position somewhat from normal as well.

There is no mention of herniation, which would mean the disc had ruptured and material was profusing outward.

The bulge, however, is pressing on the thecal sac--the spinal canal. There is no mention of flattening of the spinal cord, fortunately. Between the disc bulge and some arthritic bone spurs--that's the "hypertrophy"--you have some narrowing of the spinal canal and of the foramen--the opening through which the nerve roots pass through on their way out of the spinal cord itself-at that level.

Narrowing of the foramen, and some spinal stenosis, is very common in many of use as we age, and can certainly produce symptoms. Nerve root compession tends to produce symptoms is very specific anatomic distributions that are fed by those nerves (called dermatomes). What are your symptoms?

[d4ever]

I am getting pains in the back of my thigh into the back of my knees. Sometimes a burning sensation also. It drives me crazy! I am trying to go to the gym and trying some yoga!!!

[d4ever]

Originally Posted by glenntaj

--it means that at one disc level--the one between your fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (lower back, right above the butt) there is bulging--a projection out of disc material--and a little disc protrusion, meaning that it has shifted in position somewhat from normal as well.

There is no mention of herniation, which would mean the disc had ruptured and material was profusing outward.

The bulge, however, is pressing on the thecal sac--the spinal canal. There is no mention of flattening of the spinal cord, fortunately. Between the disc bulge and some arthritic bone spurs--that's the "hypertrophy"--you have some narrowing of the spinal canal and of the foramen--the opening through which the nerve roots pass through on their way out of the spinal cord itself-at that level.

Narrowing of the foramen, and some spinal stenosis, is very common in many of use as we age, and can certainly produce symptoms. Nerve root compession tends to produce symptoms is very specific anatomic distributions that are fed by those nerves (called dermatomes). What are your symptoms?

I get some burning sensations in the back of my leg and pain in the back of my knees...

[d4ever]

Originally Posted by Leesa

Hi ~ It says you have a disc protrusion at L4-5. It is pushing on the thecal sac, which is a membrane of dura matter that surrounds the spinal cord and the cauda equina, and is filled with spinal fluid. This bulge also contributes to spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spinal canal, and it also causes foramenal narrowing. The foramen is the hole which the nerves pass thru from the spinal cord.

I hope that helped a little bit. I doubt that at this point, you're a surgical candidate, but I'M NOT A DOCTOR, so you must ask your doctor about this. Be sure and get HIS opinion!!! Best of luck and keep us posted on what happens. Hugs, Lee

Thanks you so much! I am trying to go back to the gym and even started yodga!!

[Leesa]

Hi ~ The pain you're describing COULD be sciatica. That's when the sciatic nerve get's irritated from being compressed and becomes inflamed. This is the largest nerve in the body, and it runs from the lower spinal cord, into the hips, down the leg and into the foot. It will USUALLY hurt on the outer side of the leg, but mine often hurts behind the knee, and the outer thigh area. The pain can also radiate so it makes it kind of hard to determine WHERE the pain is coming from. Your doctor can tell you if it's sciatica or not.

I use ice for mine. Heat is worse, as it causes more swelling in the heated area. Ice reduces swelling --- use it on the lower back, as that is where the problem originates. Use it for 20 minutes every 2 hours. I would NOT do alot of exercising for awhile as you could make it worse. Gentle stretches can help, but very active exercising can hurt.

Best of luck and take care. Let us know how you do. Hugs, Lee

[glenntaj]

--at the L4/L5 level could certainly cause sciatic symptoms, as that nerve root does contribute heavily to the make-up of the sciatic nerve.

An EMG/nerve conduction study would likely be able to determine if any disruption in nerve function is coming from the nerve root area, farther down the sciatic nerve, or both. The sciatic nerve has several common compression sites, not only at its "origins" in the nerve roots but in the back hip area even farther down behind the piriformis muscle in some cases.

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome