mri lumbar spine

I had a mri do which shows at

l4-l5 moderate disc desiccation .there is a 4 mm central disc protrusion and focus of annular fissure . there is mild to moderate spinal stenosis. there is no left neural foraminal narrowing . there is mild right lateral recess narrowing

l5-s1 there is moderate disc desiccation. there is a 4mm central disc protrusion and focus of annular fissuse there is no spinal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing .

i been in pain for 4 years and the doctor just sent me in for mri after i started having leg weakness the doctor didn't explain nothing to me about MRI just sent me to a pain-management doctor can some one please explain this to me i am now 33 years old 5'6 150lbs and the leg weakness is in my left leg why?

[kay290]

Any spinal problem can cause a whole assortment of problems including weakness, bowel/bladder problems etc...if there is nerve impingement. You need to sit down with the Dr. and go over the MRI on the computer. Get copies of the CD for your records and for any specialist to see if you go. The longer the weakness goes the greater liklihood of permanent damage. You need to see some neurosurgeons or orthopedic spinal surgeons for their opinion. Getting the bad discs off of your nerves is probably the only thing that is going to reverse your symptoms and the sooner the better. Good luck.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

Due to disc prolapse condition, the consequently symptoms may have originated due to nerve root pressure or damage, pressure on the spinal cord/pressure on the tail bone. Common symptoms could be paralysis of muscles, pain radiating to the arms or legs, leg pain and numbness, tingling, or weakness. Warning symptoms can include loss of control of the bladder function, paralysis & spasticity of both the legs that you are experiencing now. Since you are suffering continuous weakness and notice reduced strength of muscle bulk in legs, please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away. Further referral to a physiotherapist for spinal exercises, use of back braces, surgical intervention (such as diskectomy), steroid injection in back and pain killers could be beneficial and may produce relief of symptoms. Hope this helps. Take Care & Stay Healthy!!!

[JOSH29TYLER2]

WHAT DOES IT MEAN BY FOCUS OF ANNULAR FISSURE WHAT HAPPEN THAT STARTED THIS WAS 4 YEARS AGO I WORK IN CONSTRUCTION LIFTING ABOUT 200 OR MORE BAGS OF 90LB CONCRETE A DAY FOR OVER A YEAR AND ONE DAY I WAS TAKING A BAG OFF THE TRUCK AND TURNED MY UPPER BODY TO THE RIGHT AS I DID THAT I SNEEZED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN I COULD NOT STAND I FELL TO THE FLOOR SO I CALLED MY WIFE WHICH RUSHED ME TO THE ER WHERE THEY SAID I PULLED A MUSCLE SINCE THEN I BEEN ON PAINKILLERS 4000MG OF IBUPROFEN A DAY AND 50MG OF TRAMADOL HCL 2X A DAY NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP