Is it fibrosis or arachoid scarring (arachnoiditis)? MRI results

Here are the findings on my lumbar MRI (I say lumbar because I also had an MRI on my neck that also showed a herniation - but my PM said he would do injections on that).

L5-S1: Extensive post- operative changes with degenerative endplate changes. There is a 5-6 mm broad based subligamentous disc protrusion, which does not touch or efface any of the exsisting nerve roots. There is exstensive granulation tissue, particularly on the left, which is surrounding the left S1 nerve root.

L2-3: 5 mm left posterolateral disc protrusiion, which appears to be mildly effacing the left L2 nerve root just outside the left intervertebral foramen.

L3-4: 4-5 mm left posterolateral disc protrusion, which appears to just touch the left L3 nerve root.

L4-5: 3-4 mm disc protrusion with small annular tear.

The nerve roots from the L4-5 inferiorly appear to be somewhat matted up against the thecal sac. This is suggestive of arachnoid scarring.

Post-operative changes L4-5

Pain symptoms: I have pain in both legs (right side seems worse than left - both legs have pain in the side of thigh and back of leg sciatica). lower back has deep awful pain of an ache all the time, sometimes have electric type shock in my lower back and down legs. This pain is a 12 on the pain scale but lasts for only seconds. Also have burning pain in back and legs and twitching in my left leg. Sometimes it also feels like there is a bug on my leg but there is nothing there. I also have tingling in legs and feet. The good news is that all of those symptoms do not occur at the same time (lol)... although I hurt all the time, they vary from moment to moment, day to day.... they seem to come and go but never go away completely.

Thank you for taking the time to read such a long post. I do wish my PM could have explained what was on the MRI report without just saying I need a surgeon.

Is fibrosis or arachnoid scarring progressive? Will surgery help either? Is there something else on the MRI report that may be causing pain?