MRI Results - Can you help?

Hi - I have had back pain/right leg pain and right hip pain for almost a year and just had a second mri. Going back to the Dr soon, but wanted to get some thoughts from others that are having similair issues and what they have done to resolve. I have tried epidorals (3), oral steriods, and PT. Not much luck. This MRI reveals that I have a mild bulging disc at L3-L4 and L4-L5 with a small superimposed central disc herniation at L3-L4 mimimally asymmetric to the right, resulting in mild thecal sac compression. Also, I have narrowing disc space present at L4-L5 and there is a decreased disc signal on T2 weighted images at L4-L5 due to disk degeneration. AND, there is a straightening of the normal lordosis. I have met with one surgeon and now talking with another, but want to get other perspectives/thoughts on the results. Is surgery required, etc.?

[opus88]

hi...my mri results are similar to yours.herniated disks L4-L5..back pain for number of years, worse past 3.
the leg/hip sciatica/pain has been an issue for at least 7 yrs (loose count aftr awhile) for this sciatica I have been on a drug called gabapentin for at least 5 yrs and it gives tremendous relief or at least it did...now they've had to increase the dosage.

I've had 3 injections of cortisone into my hip this year...didn't work or at least not for more than a few weeks.

Of course all surgeons will want to do is surgery, Look into this ALOT before you consider, I've read from many that they are worse afterwards.

I suggest you go to the PAIN MANAGEMENT forum/community on this MEDHELP and ask questions there, you will get alot more info and from many who have tried this surgery also.......you would have to get me there kicking and screaming!!

best of luck with your search

[seano]

Surgery really helped with my leg pain (fusion), I still have chronic low back pain, but without the leg pain! Careful where you go for surgery. Do research!

[opus88]

thats great news....so nice to hear someone with positive results.
I agree DO research!!! and get many opinions on the right surgeon..
do you take one of the anticonvulsants for the leg pain?

[seano]

I no longer have persistent leg pain. I never did take any anticonvulsants for it when I did though.

[opus88]

sorry my mistake....another suggestion for low back pain that I have read abt...with good results for some is a medical TENS unit...