CLINICAL INDICATION: Low back pain EXAM DESCRIPTION: LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CTRST -MRI COMPARISON: None. TECHNIQUE: Multisequence, multiplanar MR imaging of the lumbar spine was performed without the use of intravenous contrast.

FINDINGS: One hundred thirty images. It will be assumed that there are 5 non-rib-bearing lumbar type vertebral bodies present. If surgery is planned, conventional radiography of the spine is recommended for vertebral body numbering.
Vertebral body heights and alignment are within normal limits.
Intraosseous hemangiomas are evident within the L3 and L4 vertebral bodies.
The conus is unremarkable. Sagittal imaging only of the L1-L2 level demonstrates no disc protrusion, spinal canal stenosis, or significant neural foraminal narrowing.

L2-L3: The dorsal disc margin is intact. No spinal canal stenosis or significant neural foraminal narrowing is identified.

L3-L4: The dorsal disc margin is intact. No spinal canal stenosis or significant neural foraminal narrowing is identified.

L4-L5: The dorsal disc margin is intact. No spinal canal stenosis or significant neural foraminal narrowing is identified. Facet arthropathy is seen.

L5-S1: Right eccentric disc bulging is identified. A small annular tear is noted along the posterior margin of the disc bulge. There is associated mild spinal canal stenosis (AP dimension of 6- 7 mm) as well as moderate right neural foraminal narrowing with probable adjacent mass effect on the exiting right nerve root secondary to the disc bulge. Facet arthropathy is noted. Disc desiccation is seen. Degenerative marrow endplate changes are present.

IMPRESSION: Right eccentric disc bulging at the L5-S1 level resulting in moderate right-sided neural foraminal narrowing with probable mass effect on the exiting right nerve root and mild spinal canal stenosis. Facet arthropathy in the lower lumbar spine.


I have had sciatica now for almost 2 months continuously. /i am doing water therapy - had to do therapy before my insurance would cover a MRI. I have known about the herniated disc for years and my back has hurt for a long, long time but I would have periods of relief. Now there is no relief. I can't walk more than 5 minutes - I can shop because I lean on the shopping cart. Sitting hurts if I am in one position too long. I also have fibromyalgia which doesn't help in the pain area.

Does the water therapy include some sort of PT also?
Perhaps a TENS? Stretching, massage, in case some is muscle/soft tissue pain?
If that helps , perhaps an SCS (implanted spinal cord stimulator) if surgery is not an option.
But when the nerve is affected, not much to do other than pain relief modalities, or possible surgery if that is an option.

I deal with advancing OA for going on 60 yrs. All issues worse, for me, since hip replacement in 2010. I stretch a LOT....deal with old sciatic nerve damage from hysterectomy in the 80's....and have done a lot of work on that area and do sciatic stretch work too.

I've had two MRI's and manage as best I can at this point in my life. I take a lot of joint supplements, minimal pain meds, an herbal pain med included, bought a Tens but it doesn't do much for me. Move as much as possible and stretching is vital.

I've done acupuncture, a lot of massage over the years, but now not much...I massage my arms and legs as best I can. Many go for surgery after surgery and end up still in pain and often more. So, we all do what we do. IF, I had the funds I would do PRP injections and/or Prolozone injections. C

the water therapy is a lot of walking in the water and stretching. The Tens unit has not provided much relief. I take medications for the fibro which give no relief to the back area and am prescribed norco which takes the edge off just moderately. I have not seen my Doc yet as I just had the MRI yesterday and got these results online.

Do you know what Intraosseous hemangiomas are evident within the L3 and L4 vertebral bodies means? From what I could see it appears they are tumors but usually benign.

Hemangiomas are clusters of blood vessels that grow that way during fetal deveopment--you are born with them.

It is good to know where they are if they are present, so that any invasive procedure in that area (needles for epidurals etc, or surgeries) can avoid them. If nicked, they can bleed out and be dangerous to the patient. You can bleed to death if they get damaged. I know someone who had this happen with her neck, during and injection into the spine for a pain control procedure. She ended up with more chronic pain because of it and the repair it necessitated.

Just thought I would catch you helpful folks up on what has been happening.

My GP referred me to neurosurgeon (by the way he has a +5 rating from patients). He wants me to try 1 steroid injection and if it doesn't work we will proceed with surgery. He is already scheduling the surgery to get the ball rolling and he said he is just a little doubtful that the injection will help - but there is always that chance. He can cancel surgery if it works.

He said if I do have surgery it will be to clean up some of the junk that is impinging on my nerves and should have a pretty quick recovery rate unless the Fibro wants to exaggerate it. Recuperation time of about a month and a half or so.

He did also say that he can't promise that I may not need surgery down the road for some of the other issues that may or may not get worse.

Hope that makes sense. Have a wonderful day!!