Hi.

What a brilliant forum this is, I hope somebody will be able to help me with understanding my MRI results.

I've had lower back pain for approx 4 - 5 years, and it's really kicked in hard over the last 12 months. Walking for any length of time is difficilt along with the pain which radiates down my right leg, classic sciatica signs I'm told. My GP referred for Physiotherapy which over the course of 12 weeks didn't help much, if at all. Eventually I was sent for an MRI, the results of which are below:

• There is degenerative disc disease with marked height reduction at L5/S1. A prominent posterior disco-vertebral protrusion at this level which is mildly indenting on both S1 roots.

• The other disc heights and vertebral alignment are maintained.

• Mild posterior degenerative disc bulge is seen at L4/5. Also at L4/5, there is a right-sided posterolateral disc protrusion with mild to moderate indentation of the right L4 root exiting canal.

My physio therapist suggests I should have surgery, as does my GP. I am being seen by a Neurologist in April, and have also been referred to a Neurosurgeon, still waiting for an appointment.

Obviously, understanding what the MRI says will help me somewhat to understand what the situation is before I seen any of the specialists and can make an informed decision on what to do.

Any help is extremely appreciated and I thank you in advance.

Kind regards

CookieRocks