I recently had another MRI of my lumbar spine, due to extreme cramping of my back and my glutes upon walking any distance. Can you please help me with the terminology?

L5-S1 Mild to moderate degenerative disc space narrowing is present at this level, mildly progressed since prior MRI study. A small 2-3 mm right paracentral disc protrusion is again noted as seen previously, but there is now extension of the right-sided disc protrusion out far laterally where it combines with facet hypertrophy to produce moderate right foraminal narrowing. There is now abutment with no definitive compression of the far right lateral L5 nerve root. The left neural foramen remains patent
L4-5 Mild degenerative narrowing and desiccation of the intervertebral disc is again noted. There is very slight anterolisthesis and minimal extradural defect at this level.
L3-4 Moderate degenerative disc space narrowing and desiccation are present at this level. There is now a mild grade 1 spondylolisthesis present measuring 2-3 mm. A minimal generalized defect is suggested at this level resulting in minimal effacement of thecal sac.
IMPRESSION:
Small to moderate right sided disc protrusion at L-5 -S-1 with today's exam showing extension out far laterally on the right where it results in compromise of the right neural foramen. There is abutment without definite compression of far right lateral L5 nerve root however.
Minimal anterolisthesis, minimal annulus disc bulge and mild stenosis at L4-5
New mild grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis and small generalized annulus disc bulge at L3-4.

Can anyone help me figure out what all this medical terms mean??

I'll try to help:

L5-S1 Mild -moderate disc space narrowing, mildly progressed since prior study. This means that the disc isn't as "fat" as it was -- it's losing it's so-called liquid, so it's drying out. There's a 2-3mm herniation and it combines with facet hypertrophy (overgrowth of bone) to produce moderate right foraminal narrowing. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord. Yours are getting narrow. It also abuts with the right lateral L5 nerve root.

L4-5 Mild degenerative narrowing and dessication (drying out) of the intervertebral disc. Slight anterolisthesis & minimal extradural defect at this level. To be honest, I'm not familiar with anterolisthesis. ????

L3-4 Moderate degenerative disc space narrowing (see above) and dessication (drying out) at this level. There is mild grade 1 spondylolisthesis measuring 2-3mm. This is where the vertebra slips forward over the other vertebra. Small disc bulge.

I'm not a doctor, but have researched this 'stuff' for 28 years. If you have any questions that I can answer, just let me know. I know this is all confusing. From what I can see, this doesn't look like any surgical event. I would think that physical therapy would be a GREAT idea. Therapy can help in MANY cases, and relieve pain. Ask your doc to refer you to a good physical therapist, and one who has a pool as pool therapy is wonderful!

God bless and please let us know how you come out! Hugs, Lee

Thank you Leesa. You cleared up a few things for me. I'm wondering if maybe some kind of back brace would help. The Dr. says that this is a result of the Stroke I had, and that the blood just isn't getting there anymore. Don't know if that's true or not, just tired of all the back pain, as I never suffered from it before my stroke???

Hi AnnaLee ~ It could help with your posture, which in turn helps with the pain. You would want to make sure that the brace isn't TOO tight -- it all depends on the kind of back brace you get. I haven't looked at them in some time, so I don't know what kinds there are anymore. Mine is like a "corset" with metal "stays" and draw strings -- it's pretty old. I got it in the 90's. But i could make it as tight as I wanted.

Now, they're probably velcro or something -- I'm just not sure.

But like I said, make sure they're firm but not TOO tight.

I DO think that I'd ask my doctor BEFORE wearing any kind of back brace. It's important because if he thinks you're not getting enough blood, then the brace could keep you from getting even MORE. So talk to your doctor BEFORE wearing one, okay? God bless AnnaLee -- let me know what he says, okay? Hugs, Lee