Are injections the right direction?

[Jhendri9]

I recently had an MRI of my lower back and am wondering if I need a second opinion or injections are right for this. T12-L1 loss of disc height, circumferential disc bulge, anterior vertebral end plate osteophytes and right posterior para median longitudinal annular fissure with high intensity zone. Slight impression on the thecal sac.
L3-L4 disc dehydration and mild loss of disc height. Circumferential disc bulge with vertebral endpoint osteophytes anteriorly and mild remodeling of the vertebral end plates posteriorly. Slight impression on the thecal sac, left lateral disc bulge into the inferior aspect of the left neural foramen.
L5-S1 this level is transitional with the lumbar spine..
Impression...
Radio graphic correlation is recommended if surgery is considered because of what appears to to the L5 level is transitional with the tip of the conus medullaris at lower T12.
What are your thoughts? I am having severe pain and don't want injections if they are only temporary. Any help would be great. Thanks!

[Jhendri9]

Thank you! I will definitely check it out. I don't want surgery, but I also don't want to keep going back in for shots only to have surgery later on.

[caregiver222]

Depending on the physician you will get varying opinions. Surgeons will push you for surgery. The findings are not that important. What is important is the degree of pain and debilitation. Injections of steroids only provide temporary relief. Get the book by Dr. Bernard Groopman titled "How Doctor's Think" and google his article in the New Yorker on severe pain due to disc deterioration. He had several back operations and had regrets. discusses alternate treatments and warns not to always listen to surgeons, despite their credentials.