I recently had an mri on my lumbar spine that was authorized and paid for by L&I as I am requesting a claim re-openning due to an increase in pain and physical limitations as a result. I also had an ime (independant medical exam.) at L&I's request to verify a worsening/aggrevation of the related injury as required to re-open my claim. As expected the ime doctor didn't say their was worsening, but seem to focus more on the left side anguinial hernia that is present. The doctor I recently have seen doesn't seem to agree on the seriousness of my situation regarding this injury, and mainly sais arthritis is the cause of the pain. Whatever it is the pain is almost constant and at times severe, almost every night. The following are findings in my recent mri report that I think are relevant, but i'm not sure of the exact meaning of the terms used or effect it has.
Irregular contour of endplates L1-L2,L4-L5. A slight loss in vertebral height at L1 approx. 5% without significant edema. Mild marrow edema is presentat the anterior inferior endplate of L3, suspicious for reactive edema due to altered biomechanics, or possibly artifact related to motion and technical factors. Rudementary disc space is seen at S1-S2. Irregular contour of endplates at L1-L2, probable prominent Schmorl's node is seen deforming the inferior endplate of L1. Disc desiccation and a diffuse circumferential disc bulge at L3-L4 approx. 1-2mm. Bilateral facet arthropathy is present. There is mild central spinal canal stenosis. Loss of disc height L4-L-5 that impresses the anterior spinal canal by 2mm. Moderate central spinal canal stenosis. Partial effacement of the R. lateral recess. Mod. narrowing at the caudal margin of the nueral formina bilaterally. Left paracentral/forminal annular tear along the cranial margin of the disc space. Irregular contour of the L lamina of L4 Mild facet arthropathy bilaterally. Disc desiccation and a diffuse disc bulge at L5-S1 approx. 2mm. Mild central canal stenosis. Mild narrowing at the caudal margin of the nueral formina bilaterally.