"I have L4-L5 small central and left paracentral focal herniated nucleus pulposus and moderate bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, left greater than right and mild facet joint arthrosis, bilateral. This broad based herniation measures 16 mm transverse x 3.5 mm ap."
The between your 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae has its jelly-like center pushed out to the left side. The yellow ligaments (ligamentum flavum) connecting your vertebrae has grown a bit larger, on both sides (bilateral), but the left ligament is a bit larger than the right ligament.The cartilage is slightly worn away at the facet joints (mild facet joint arthrosis) on both sides (bilateral).
"L5-S1 is narrowed and shows a diffuse moderately bulging disc and bilateral moderate facet joint arthrosus. This disc is somewhat asymmetrically bulging moderately to severely narrowing the left L5-S1 neural foramen."
The disk between your 5th lumbar vertebra and your sacroiliac joint (S1) is bulging causing narrowing where the nerve root leaves the spinal column. The cartilage is slightly worn.
"My leg feels like it is on fire from the buttock to the toe."
Ask your doctor about sacroiliac joint dysfunction, other issues may have that could be the result of nerve compression.
Hope that helps!.
On each vertabrae we have two holes, one on either side that our nerve roots exit from. At l5/s1 urs is narrowed which can cause root nerve compression if the foramen (sp) holes get to tight. I have severe spondlylolisthesis and since my disc completely deteriated at that region, the slippage caused severe foraminal stenosis with significant bilateral root nerve compression. I'm 30 days post op from a l5/s1 fusion with instrumentation due to this. My leg pain was worse than my back pain and I developed weakness in my legs that greatly impaired my gait. I walked...abnormally. sorry for what ur going thru and I hope u get 2-3 different opinions before anything concrete is done. Greatest blessings to ya hun *hugs*