Just received mri results...have not had consultation with doctor yet....

[mzclarol]

I went by my drs. office to pick up a copy of my mri results...and am confused, naturally.....

the impression is this...

1. scoliosis of the lumbar spine with a convexity to the right.

2. Loss of lumbar lordisis.

3. Mild retrolisthesis of L5 over S1. Moderate diffuse annular bulge with medium sized central, right paracentral and lateral extrusion of intervening disc intenting the thecal sac and compressing the right exiting L5 nerve root. Partial obliteration of the foraminal fat is identified by this diffuse bulge more so on the right. Extruded disc fratment measures 7.93 x 4.61 mm.

4. Mild diffuse annular bulge of L4 disc intenting the thecal sac. Mild bilateral facet osteoarthropathy at this level.

5. Large uterus with fibroids.

My question is what sort of treatment would be expected. I am having alot of pain that is not really helped by the muscle relaxers and ibuprophen. The pain is in the lower back and the hip. I own a barbershop and my job doesn't help me much either. Would it be unusual to actually be able to get some decent pain relief/medication with this mri result?

[mzclarol]

Thank you so much for your quick reply...I will do like you suggested and see an orthopedician. As far as my job and work environment, I would have to change careers pretty much...I own a small one person barbershop and on busy days, which is when I get the most pain, I may have a five minute break about every three hours. And at those intervals, I just leave my customers waiting while I take breaks. It's all standing and alot of leaning my upper body forward.

I'm trying very hard to lose some weight, as I've gained about 30 pounds in the past three years...Mainly due, I think to the fact that as my back has worsened, I drink a couple of glasses of red wine after I finish work to relieve the pain. It does help, but since I've been prescribed the muscle relaxers, I have not been doing that. And have lost five pounds in the past two weeks....

Anyway, thank you so much for your advice...

Carol

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. In scoliosis, the spine curves to the side when viewed from the front, and each vertebra also twists on the next one in a corkscrew fashion. You can have back pain as symptom and in most of the cases it is developmental or present since birth and associated with other conditions. If the curve is less than 25 degrees then you would not need treatment.You would need a brace if it is more than 25 degrees and surgery is mostly for cosmetic purposes.

You have to follow up with an orthopedician and your L4, L5 and S1 changes can be associated with this or may be due to chronic back problems and the chronic problem with your ergonomics.

I would suggest you not to stand for long hours, to avoid weight bearing and to take appropriate steps in adopting favorable positions while you work.

Take NSAIDs intermittently. Follow up with a gynecologist for the fibroids.

Take care!