MRI OF LUMBAR SPINE

I had a MRI on my lumbar spine and I got a copy of print out. The findings are, There are discogeogenic endplate degenerative changes at L4-5 and L5-S1. There are no foci of bone marrow edema. There are no compression deformities identified. There is almost complete disk space loss at L5-S1 and at least moderate disk space loss atL4-5. The conus terminates at an appropriate level. Can you PLEASE EXPLANE THIS TO ME IN Laymen terms?????

TKFan

[Kalvin]

What symptoms do you have to go along with this?

How's it going down there in Janesville?

[TKFan]

Lower back pain on left and right side, feeling stiff, there are times like when I'm standing for to long I get more pain and have to sit down for a minute or two, then I can continue to stand longer.

[TKFan]

Here is more of the print out the Dr. gave me.

There are no signifcant findigs from the T12-L1 through L2-L3 disk space levels.
At L3-4, there is a large left paracentral disk protrusion. This extend caudally. This has significant mass effet upon the adjacent lefts nerve roots.It measures approximetely 12 mm in the cranioncaudal dimension. There is an underlying broad-based posterior disk bulge. there is moderate facet arthropathy and thickening of the ligamentum flavum. There is moderate central canal narrowing at this level. There is moderate right-sided and mild left-sided neural foraminal narrowing.

And has far as how is it down here in Janesville?  It has been HOTTTT.

[Kalvin]

Okay, the concerning parts of this report are the disc space narrowing at L4-5 and L5-S1. I don’t know how familiar you are with the various parts of the spine, but in between each of the vertebra there’s a spinal disc, it acts like a cushion or shock absorber in our spine. As we age the discs lose water and shrink. What you have is an extreme case of this at L5-S1; L4-5 is moderate in terms of severity.

The problem with disc space loss is that the vertebra then becomes to close together. They can then compress the neural foramina, which is where the nerve roots come through from the spinal canal. Additionally it creates problems with the Facet joints and can increase loading. The Facet joints connect all the vertebra and allow everything to move in unison.

A good part of the pain you’re having is probably being caused the Facet Joint problems, they typically cause the type of low back pain that you’re having.

I still have to read your other post.

[Kalvin]

At L3-4, you have a disc protrusion, it extends downward and it appears to be affecting your L4 nerve root. There’s moderate arthritis of the facet joints and the ligamentum flavum has thickened a little (this ligament thickens in some people as they age) Your spinal canal is moderately narrowed at this level probably from the protrusion and arthritis. And your neural foramina (the place where the nerve roots come through) is mildly narrowed on the left and moderately on the right.

Probably the biggest concern here would be compression of your L4 nerve root, and your canal narrowing. L4 would be causing pain into the buttock, thigh and down to your shin. Do you have any pain down the leg, sciatic type pain?

What stage are you with your treatment, I assume you’re seeing a Doctor? Have you been sent to Physical Therapy yet, or had any injections. How long have you been dealing with this?