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MRI results
I just had a MRI of lumbar spine. Can someone explain these results to me.
There is a posterior protrusion and extrusion at L5-S1, extending into the lateral recessess bilaterally slightly greater on the right with contact and posterior displacement of the descending S1 nerves.
There is edemea of the L5-S1 endplates, favored to be reactive/degenerative in etiology, given the intact endplates and lack of abnormal signal with the intervertebral disc space, as would be expected with an infectious spondylitis.
There is moderal narrowing of the left L5-S1 neural foramen
There are foci of possible edema of the T11 and T12 pedicles and facet articular processes as described although at the margin of the exam. The findings are nonspecific, could be reactive/degenerative in etiology. Correlation with any pain at this location is recommended.
Does any of this sound fixable? Is any of it permanet? I am having so much pain in legs and back by the end of the day I have to pick my legs up to get in the car.
Any information would be appreciated.
There is a posterior protrusion and extrusion at L5-S1, extending into the lateral recessess bilaterally slightly greater on the right with contact and posterior displacement of the descending S1 nerves.
There is edemea of the L5-S1 endplates, favored to be reactive/degenerative in etiology, given the intact endplates and lack of abnormal signal with the intervertebral disc space, as would be expected with an infectious spondylitis.
There is moderal narrowing of the left L5-S1 neural foramen
There are foci of possible edema of the T11 and T12 pedicles and facet articular processes as described although at the margin of the exam. The findings are nonspecific, could be reactive/degenerative in etiology. Correlation with any pain at this location is recommended.
Does any of this sound fixable? Is any of it permanet? I am having so much pain in legs and back by the end of the day I have to pick my legs up to get in the car.
Any information would be appreciated.
Aww kalvin *hugs* ur good ppl!!!!! Pdk, if u ever have any questions don't hesitate to ask, ur in the inquisitive boat now trying to aeek answers that make sense to u and to find a treatment plan for what u find. Take care
Welcome to wonderful world of U.S. health care. I don't think I'd be a good Doctor, I'd worry too much. The reason I'm here is because I have been through everything you're going through right now, and a lot that I hope you don't. You can't give up, you just have to regroup and get yourself together. It's bad enough dealing with pain, but then you have to deal with some of these Doctors who actually make you feel worse instead of better.
Your (family?) Doctor obviously felt that you had enough changes on your MRI to warrant seeing a Surgeon. Just forget about this guy, your situation probably would involve a little thinking on his part, probably more than he wanted to do. A lot of them just want to do a quick easy surgery, on to the next patient. You don't even want surgery yet, do you? There's other things you need to try first. Surgery's a big deal.
Tell your Doctor you like to try some conservative treatments first, he can refer you to a Neurologist, an Orthopedist or even a Pain specialist, one of them can send you to therapy and even to try injections. These things do help sometimes. There's not a quick fix for this, I know its frustrating but you have to patient. And while long term use of pain medication is definitely not the answer, there's nothing wrong with taking medication in short term so you don't have to suffer.
In a prefect world you go to the Doctor, they would be helpful, caring, explain things to you, in a lot of cases it just doesn't work that way. You almost have to fight to get better, that's why you can't give up. You have to stick up for yourself.
And by the way, the young lady who posted before me, Squirtatious is a member and a friend and she's been through all this too. She's still recovering from a pretty serious back surgery she had a while ago. She's had a quite a struggle too. I'm sure she'd gladly share some of her experiences with you.
Get on the phone and tell your Doctor you need to see somebody else.
Your (family?) Doctor obviously felt that you had enough changes on your MRI to warrant seeing a Surgeon. Just forget about this guy, your situation probably would involve a little thinking on his part, probably more than he wanted to do. A lot of them just want to do a quick easy surgery, on to the next patient. You don't even want surgery yet, do you? There's other things you need to try first. Surgery's a big deal.
Tell your Doctor you like to try some conservative treatments first, he can refer you to a Neurologist, an Orthopedist or even a Pain specialist, one of them can send you to therapy and even to try injections. These things do help sometimes. There's not a quick fix for this, I know its frustrating but you have to patient. And while long term use of pain medication is definitely not the answer, there's nothing wrong with taking medication in short term so you don't have to suffer.
In a prefect world you go to the Doctor, they would be helpful, caring, explain things to you, in a lot of cases it just doesn't work that way. You almost have to fight to get better, that's why you can't give up. You have to stick up for yourself.
And by the way, the young lady who posted before me, Squirtatious is a member and a friend and she's been through all this too. She's still recovering from a pretty serious back surgery she had a while ago. She's had a quite a struggle too. I'm sure she'd gladly share some of her experiences with you.
Get on the phone and tell your Doctor you need to see somebody else.
Wow, just read the rest of ur comments. I understand where ur comming from and can relate to ur frustrations!!!! I had one spine dr tell me it was basically in my head and that I could use with a physcological evaluation. Mind u I had mri's showing bilateral spondylolisthesis with significant bilateral root nerve compression at l5/s1 which caused severe bilateral foraminal stenosis. I had an emg study showing acute and choronic l5/s1 radiculopathy with motor root nerve damage to some muscles in my legs. I had severe pain in my legs like I have NEVER experienced before in my life til all this began march 21st of 2009. I also had leg weakness that affected my ability to move my legs and walk normal. I walked like someone with a bad case of cerebral palsy. U know ur body better than anyone and are the first to know when something is wrong. Trust urself and follow ur instincts, look for different opinions from different surgeons, neurologists, etc. Ur sysmptoms your experiencing are NOT in your head and they stem from an organic reason. Take care, and I'm always here if u ever want to talk!!
I'm interested to know what ur dr says, please keep us informed? I wanted to share a bit of myself with u to help u correlate the pain your having in your legs, to ur back. I have l5/s1 root nerve compression pretty significant bilateral. The anguishing pain in my legs far, far surpassed any pain I felt in my back. I really hope u get feeling better!!!!
Well I had my appointment. The surgeon was so informative. He told me while standing to try to tilt my pelvis back or stand with one leg up on a stool. That was it. Nothing. His assistant explained alittle to me in regards to the impression from the MRI. He said I do have some DD that's all he said. They want to get me started on a tens unit. While I am all for not taking any pain med unless ABSOLUTELY necessary, I don't want to mask the problem. I want fixed. As you well know all if this really affects your life. I want to be back to normal and be able to "shop till I drop" or walk through flea markets and work all day without sitting in my car at lunch crying. I know my Lyme has alot to do with some pain but it amazes me how some doctors just don't get it. I wouldn't wish any of this on anybody but it would be nice if for just a day some of them could feel the pain. Maybe they could be alittle more compasionate. I felt like I went in and said I have a headache and the doctor suggested taking a Tylenol. I DO stand with a leg propped up when possible. I DO try to tilt my pelvis when standing. Oddly enough I learned those little tricks just trying to be in a comfortable position. I don't even have a degree.
I can definately see how people give up and become addicts to pain med.
I am sorry for venting all this on you. You have been so helpful. Wish you were a doctor to help all of us going through things like this.
I give up. Best of luck to you.
I can definately see how people give up and become addicts to pain med.
I am sorry for venting all this on you. You have been so helpful. Wish you were a doctor to help all of us going through things like this.
I give up. Best of luck to you.
Horrible low back pain. Very lower back. It started in posterior thighs. Both. But it has progressed. 2nd was lower back and now from back to toes. Mostly Back and thighs thoughs. Like I mentioned before by the end of workday I can barely walk and I literally haveto lift my leg to get in the car.
I have been being treated for the Lyme now for several months but nothing else. That's why I'm wondering about a surgeon so soon. But I do agree I can't stay this way. My appt is next Wednesday so no to far away.
I'm sorry for you though. Seems like you have been through alot. Hope things are better for you.
I have been being treated for the Lyme now for several months but nothing else. That's why I'm wondering about a surgeon so soon. But I do agree I can't stay this way. My appt is next Wednesday so no to far away.
I'm sorry for you though. Seems like you have been through alot. Hope things are better for you.
They need to get the pressure off those S1 nerve roots, that's what's causing your leg pain.
There's probably 2 options, one is that they just remove the part of the disc that's herniated, there by taking the pressure off the nerves. It's called Microdisectomy, and it can be done endoscopically.
The other is a fusion, where they actually remove the entire disc, and replace it with a bone graft or a cage. This is what I had. This 2nd option is a more serious procedure. It needs to be done if have you have servere DDD, really bad disc space narrowing, slippage or instability issues, and the resulting low back pain you get from these things.
Yes, surgery often doesn't help, but they are generally very successful with decompression's, that is freeing up the nerve roots. Do you have any low back pain, or is most of it down the legs?
You can't stay the way you are, have you had any other treatments like therapy or injections? When are you going to see the Surgeon? Let me know he/she recommends.
There's probably 2 options, one is that they just remove the part of the disc that's herniated, there by taking the pressure off the nerves. It's called Microdisectomy, and it can be done endoscopically.
The other is a fusion, where they actually remove the entire disc, and replace it with a bone graft or a cage. This is what I had. This 2nd option is a more serious procedure. It needs to be done if have you have servere DDD, really bad disc space narrowing, slippage or instability issues, and the resulting low back pain you get from these things.
Yes, surgery often doesn't help, but they are generally very successful with decompression's, that is freeing up the nerve roots. Do you have any low back pain, or is most of it down the legs?
You can't stay the way you are, have you had any other treatments like therapy or injections? When are you going to see the Surgeon? Let me know he/she recommends.
I just received a call from my Dr office. Apparently he just looked ar my MRI and set me up to speak to a surgeon. I've not been able to talk to the Dr myself so I don't know what sugery would be fixing. It's going to drive me crazy until my appt. Would you know besides the buldging disk is the rest repairable? I've heard surgery doesn't always fix it.
I just saw this that you posted earlier " I do have so much pain in both legs and to me it seems to be in the sacrum area. It doesn't seem that all this pain could be from these minor problems. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but this gets horrible."
Believe me, the nerve compression you have at L5-S1 can cause very severe and horrible pain. Most people just have it in 1 leg, you have it both. You need to see your Doctor and get this taken care off so you can get out of this horrible pain. Take care of yourself.
Believe me, the nerve compression you have at L5-S1 can cause very severe and horrible pain. Most people just have it in 1 leg, you have it both. You need to see your Doctor and get this taken care off so you can get out of this horrible pain. Take care of yourself.
Like I said, the findings at T11-12 were speculative at best. Your pain is consistent with the problems you have at L5-S1.
No, Ankylosing Spondylitis is a horrible disease and has nothing to do with infectious spondylitis. The radiologist again, is just mentioning the possibility of infection with infectious spondylitis, the finding are also consistent with DDD. Try searching for "endplates and infectious spondylitis" but I think you're worry yourself over nothing.
No, that not a lot to change in a year, it can happen faster than that. It shows the logical progression of your problems.
I don't mind helping, that's why I'm on here. When you've had as many MRI's as I've had, you have to learn what this terminology means, because the Doctors certainly won't explain it to you.
Take Care
Take Care
No, Ankylosing Spondylitis is a horrible disease and has nothing to do with infectious spondylitis. The radiologist again, is just mentioning the possibility of infection with infectious spondylitis, the finding are also consistent with DDD. Try searching for "endplates and infectious spondylitis" but I think you're worry yourself over nothing.
No, that not a lot to change in a year, it can happen faster than that. It shows the logical progression of your problems.
I don't mind helping, that's why I'm on here. When you've had as many MRI's as I've had, you have to learn what this terminology means, because the Doctors certainly won't explain it to you.
Take Care
Take Care
I just looked at anatomy of the spine and no that is not where the pain is. It's definately in the sacrum area or L5-S1 area. I have been trying to google infectious spondylitis as mentioned in the 1st paragraph of the impression but it keeps coming up Ankylosing spondylitis. Are these the same thing?
Another thing I want to mention is exactly 1 year ago I had the same MRI and the findings/impression are alot different. They are as follows:
1. Degenerative loss of signal in the L5-S1 disc. The disc causes a small ventral epidural defect and annular protrusion. The inferior endplate of L5 shows degenerative changes.
Does this seem like alot to have changed in one year? I can tell a huge difference myself within the last year. I don't know if my Lyme disease could have caused all this.
Thank you so much for helping me understand this better. It gets frustrating at times trying to google each little piece.
Does this seem odd to have such changes in just a year.
Another thing I want to mention is exactly 1 year ago I had the same MRI and the findings/impression are alot different. They are as follows:
1. Degenerative loss of signal in the L5-S1 disc. The disc causes a small ventral epidural defect and annular protrusion. The inferior endplate of L5 shows degenerative changes.
Does this seem like alot to have changed in one year? I can tell a huge difference myself within the last year. I don't know if my Lyme disease could have caused all this.
Thank you so much for helping me understand this better. It gets frustrating at times trying to google each little piece.
Does this seem odd to have such changes in just a year.
Its an area of hyperintensity picked up by the MRI where there might be an edema (swelling caused by fluid in your body's tissues) in the T11 and T12 pedicles and part of the facets.
The Radiologist states that he/she doesn't know if this is being causing reactive (bone chemical type process) or whether its is degenerative (something that developed over time.) And additionally doesn't know if it's causing any problems.
The Doctor also suggests asking you if you have any pain in the T11-T12 area. T10 is about the belly button, so T11-T12 is a little below that, do you have any localize back pain in this area, it could possibly radiate into your thighs as well?
The Radiologist states that he/she doesn't know if this is being causing reactive (bone chemical type process) or whether its is degenerative (something that developed over time.) And additionally doesn't know if it's causing any problems.
The Doctor also suggests asking you if you have any pain in the T11-T12 area. T10 is about the belly button, so T11-T12 is a little below that, do you have any localize back pain in this area, it could possibly radiate into your thighs as well?
Hi Kalvin
I have not seen the Dr yet he is out of town. So I'm not sure what to expect for treatment. Can you tell me what "foci" is and the T11 and T12 pedicles? I do have so much pain in both legs and to me it seems to be in the sacrum area. It doesn't seem that all this pain could be from these minor problems. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but this gets horrible.
I have not seen the Dr yet he is out of town. So I'm not sure what to expect for treatment. Can you tell me what "foci" is and the T11 and T12 pedicles? I do have so much pain in both legs and to me it seems to be in the sacrum area. It doesn't seem that all this pain could be from these minor problems. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but this gets horrible.
This is what's causing your leg problems "There is a posterior protrusion and extrusion at L5-S1, extending into the lateral recessess bilaterally slightly greater on the right with contact and posterior displacement of the descending S1 nerves."
Our backs are made up of several bones called vertebra, and their numbered L1,2, 3, and so on. In between the vertebra are spinal discs, they act as shock absorbers for our spine. As we age these disc degenerate, and sometimes bulge or herniate. Sometimes these herniations or protrusions are large enough that can compress the spinal nerves.
Thats whats happening in your case. Your disc protrusion at L5-S1 is going into the lateral recess, which is an area that the nerves pass through, and compressing your S1 nerve root. Just so happens that this nerve travels all the way down your leg into your foot. The report says it's bilateral which means its effecting both sides, but the right is the worse.
Is it fixable? Yes. At what point are you with your treatment, since you have this report, I assume your seeing a Doctor? What is the Doctor telling you, have you had any treatments or treatment recommendations?
Our backs are made up of several bones called vertebra, and their numbered L1,2, 3, and so on. In between the vertebra are spinal discs, they act as shock absorbers for our spine. As we age these disc degenerate, and sometimes bulge or herniate. Sometimes these herniations or protrusions are large enough that can compress the spinal nerves.
Thats whats happening in your case. Your disc protrusion at L5-S1 is going into the lateral recess, which is an area that the nerves pass through, and compressing your S1 nerve root. Just so happens that this nerve travels all the way down your leg into your foot. The report says it's bilateral which means its effecting both sides, but the right is the worse.
Is it fixable? Yes. At what point are you with your treatment, since you have this report, I assume your seeing a Doctor? What is the Doctor telling you, have you had any treatments or treatment recommendations?
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