Iv been referred to a neurosurgeon by my family doc. She basically said she wasnt sure wat was to be done about my back and leg pain w leg numbness but that the mri came back with issues so off i need to go.

I got my report, mri's, xrays, which im to take to my neuro tommorrow but i have no idea what the report means and sense my family doc didnt explain a whole lot other than "you need neurosurgeon"...i was wondering if anyone could help me decipher the mri code and tell me the basics of what to expect on my first visit.

"combination of a thickened left facet joint capsule at the L4-5 level and a bulging annulus at the L4-5 level may be causing mild compression of the left L5 nerve root as it enters left lateral recess of L5. There is old central-left disc protursion at the L5-S1 level which causes slight displacement of the left S1 nerve root. "

reads like stero instructions to me and all i know is that i have neck,back, and leg pain with numbness.

I called the office and asked question but until i go they really cant give me any idea of what the first visit will consist of which adds to the anxiety and stress levels. Just wondering what anyones thoughts and or expierence on this maybe.