bulging disks

this is the reading from my MRI.

Technique
Sagittal and axial t1 and t2 weighted imaging was obtained at L3-4 through L5-s1 intervertebral disc space levels.

Findings
The conus medullaris is normal. There are no lumbar vertebral body compression fractures
There are minimal posterior L4-5 and L5-s1 intervertebral disc bulges resulting in slight contact with ventral aspect of the thecal sac.

Mild articular facet joint degenerative hypertrophy without central spinal canal stenosis is present at L3-4 through L5-s1intervertebral disc space levels. Note is made of the congenitally borderline short lumbar vertebral petioles.

Conclusion
1 mild posterior L4-5 and l5_s1 intervertebral disc bulges
2 mild lumbar facet arthopathy although without result in central spinalcanal stenosis.
3 congenitally borderline short lumbar vertebral petioles.

would this cause crazy pain in my low back spreading down my right leg to my foot and my left leg down to the thigh? Or is this not a possible cause of my constant pain?

[lucydog222]

For the past 4 years I had severe pain in lower back, right leg into my foot.  my MRI results were very similar to yours with minimal disc bulge at L4-5. My doctor said this would not cause my leg pain.  I had mylogram and discogram which did not show a pinched nerve.  I went to multiple doctors and all said the same thing-that I should not be having the leg pain-they were very reluctant to give me pain meds (they were acting like I just wanted narcotics-some people do that).  Well this summer another doctor sent me back to physical therapy which made the pain unbearable, my (twenty something) physical therapist suggested I go to an ortho Dr. because he thought the pain could be coming from my hip.  So I made an appt in pittsburgh with an ortho dr and after one visit and one x-ray they found a bone spur in my hip joint that had been causing all of they crazy pain for 4 years!  I had surgery done last month and there is an unbelievable difference-like night and day!  I am still on crutches and have about 5 months of physical therapy ahead of me but it is worth it to be out of that misery!  So have your doctor check other things out instead of concentrating on the bulging discs like I did-it may save you years of pain!

[cablegooch]

A little background on my situation, I was in a car accident in june of this year 07, i was at a stop on the high way and a car hit me doing approx 30mph, as soon as i stepped out of the car my low back/butt pain was instant, I went to the hospital they checked me back out and gave me a shot of something to take the pain away which did not. and there hasnt been a day since that i am not in pain. I havnt had nerve testing yet but i am scheduled for jan for an emg, but not that i read your post i am going to look into the possibility of it being a hit issue, I also have extreme pain in between the shoulder blades and down each shoulder to the hands which is another whole issue from the same accident.

[cablegooch]

A little background on my situation, I was in a car accident in june of this year 07, i was at a stop on the high way and a car hit me doing approx 30mph, as soon as i stepped out of the car my low back/butt pain was instant, I went to the hospital they checked me back out and gave me a shot of something to take the pain away which did not. and there hasnt been a day since that i am not in pain. I havnt had nerve testing yet but i am scheduled for jan for an emg, but now that i read your post i am going to look into the possibility of it being a hip issue, I also have extreme pain in between the shoulder blades and down each shoulder to the hands which is another whole issue from the same accident.

[Jayne17]

I feel for you all. I had a herniated disc in 2001 which was severe for 9 mths to a year and did not fully clear up until late 2003. I managed to overcome it with physio, osteopathy, painkillers and eventually, once I got to the stage I could move a bit more, the thing that gave me most relief and helped me recover totally was ashtanga yoga. I can't recommend it highly enough. You will have to wait until you stop spasming as much and have a little movement, and you've got to start of v slowly, but a good teacher can tell you alternative moves to lead you into the full poses at your own pace without doing more damage than good. Good luck and hope you manage to get relief from the pain v soon.