What a blessing to find NeuroTalk today!

I have basically been healthy all my 50+ years, but I was diagnosed two months ago with L5 HNP, L4-L5 Lateral mass Congenital Fusion, as well as C2-3 Congenital Fusion, bilateral C5-6 Radiculopathy.

I had an MRI done last month on my cervical spine and my lumbar spine, and would be VERY GRATEFUL for someone to put what the report means in layman's terms. Concerned, but hoping for some encouragement.

Here are the MRI reports:

MRI #1: Lumbar Spine

Technique: Sagittal and axial imaging is performed utilizing T1, T2, inversion recovery pulse sequences.

Findings

*L1-2, L2-3 levels are normal.
*L3-4 segment demonstrates partial disc desiccation.
*L4-5 segment demonstrates disc desiccation and broad-based posterior annular bulge. There is also a T2 hyperintense zone along the posterior annulus consistent with annular fissure or tear. Prominent facets. Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Mild central canal stenosis.
*L5-S1 segment demonstrates mild disc degeneration. Prominent facets. Ligament flavum hypertrophy. Mile central canal spinal stenosis.
*No focal disc herniation is seen.
*There is no spondylolisthesis.
*Region on conus medullaris is unremarkable.

Impression:
1. L4-5 disc bulge with posterior annular fissure or tear. Mild central canal spinal stenosis.
2. L5-S1 mild central canal spinal stenosis.
3. No focal disc herniation.

MRI #2: Cervical Spine

Technique: Sagittal and axial imaging is performed utilizing turbo spin-echo T1, turbo spin-echo T2, inversion recovery pulse sequences.

Findings

*Cervical vertebral body marrow signal is within normal limits.
*Multiple level disc desiccation. No disc herniation is identified however. There is no central canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
*Cervical cord demonstrates normal signal characteristics.
*The cervicomedullary junction is normal.

Impression: Disc desiccation. Exam is otherwise unremarkable.

Welcome jeffsmart.

Someone will be along to help.

MRI findings are only as important (correlate with) as your symptoms and exam findings....which are....? Why are your fusions not mentioned on the MRI reports??? And how were those fusions diagnosed a month before your MRI's? Did you have extensive x-ray procedures done? Bilateral C5-6 radiculopathy yet no C5-6 MRI findings??? Sure it's not bilaterally carpal tunnel syndrome?? radial nerve entrapment? Maybe see a neurologist, your stated diagnosis do not match your imaging findings!

Thank you for your time and comments Dubious! Showing my "probie stripes" on that first post! Not a good start! Maybe the following will give more information:

Here are my symptoms: Neck discomfort and popping sounds when moving my head back and forth. About a year ago, I started feeling some discomfort and pointed pain in my left arm (elbow area) and eventually above elbow arm. Then several months later, right arm did the same. Hands started tingling from time to time as well. Also, lower back pain.

I then made an appointment with an neurologist who did x-rays on my neck and lower back. It was there I was told about the fusions in my neck and lower back. He then ordered an MRI. (I apologize for not including this history in the MRI reports section of my comments earlier.)

After not hearing back from my neurologist, I just figured he didn't see anything on the MRI report to warrant contacting me. But out of curiosity, I went by the radiologist office today and picked up a copy of the reports (after all, MRI's are expensive). It was at that point, I searched the web and found this site hoping to get some quick info.

I hope this gives you a little more insight into my situation. My neurologist is a great guy, and I do plan to contact him tomorrow and set up an appointment.

I appreciate your wisdom and thank you for your time!

Your C spine report doesn't say if the disk issue is mild/moderate/severe..
But it does say - There is no central canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
My dad has very little disk tissue left at all due to DDD, but he isn't having any specific pain from it. But everyone is different..

For the arm/hand problems - I would look into other causes for those.. soft tissue injury and/or triggerpoints can cause pain & symptoms also.

What kind of work do you do, desk job, any sport/injuries/MVA/whiplash etc?

although I am no expert on these things - the MRI report does not seem to tie in very well with the other findings / results, it is your MRI report they have given you ?