Are my back problems serious

[damon123]

My PCP says this is all normal for a 48 year old male, is he right ?
All of the following were from MRIs & x-rays taken in 2007
Thank You for your opinion.
L2-L3:
Early bilateral facet hypertrophy
Minimal disk bulging

L3-L4:
Moderate disk bulging
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
Bilateral facet hypertrophy
Moderate spinal stenosis
Moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis
Neural encroachment
Disk desication

L4-L5:
Severe disk bulging
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
Bilateral facet hypertrophy
Moderate spinal stenosis
Severe impingement upon the bilateral lateral recesses.
Neural encroachment
Marked degenerative disk disease and facet arthropathy
Anterior osteophyte formation
Facet arthropathy more prominent on the right
Severe degenerative disk space narrowing with associated degenerative end plate changes
Disk space narrowing is asymetric & more prominent on the left with associated lateral arthritic lipping
Severe degenerative hypertrophic change of the facet joints & ligamentum flavum
Borderline central canal stenosis
Mild left neuroforaminal stenosis
Noted vacuum sign phenomenon
Consistent end plate collapse & Abundant facet arthropathy

L5-S1:
Severe diffuse disk bulging
Bilateral facet hypertrophy
Severe right neural foraminal stenosis
Moderate left neural foraminal stenosis
Disk bulging
Neural encroachment
Marked degenerative disk disease and facet arthropathy
Significant disk space narrowing
Facet arthropathy changes more prominent on the right
Asymetric disk space narrowing that is severe on the right
Grade one retrolisthesis
Difuse disk bulge and very small paracentral disc herniation
Noted vacuum sign phenomenon
Consistent end plate collapse & abundant facet arthropathy

[Krony]

absolutely not.

[MInute Maid]

Significant narrowing of the disc space might be 'normal' but there is nothing normal about getting a nerve trapped in these narrow disc spaces. Ask for a referral to a neurologist.

[High Noon]

I am not sure what "normal" means age 48. I am 57 and my MRI results are not consistent with yours.

The question is why did you have the MRI? Are you experiencing pain, discomfort or minor aches?
Whether you pursue and consult with another doctor ( e.g. spinal doctor) depends upon your daily symptons.

Good Luck

[surjit1754]

Better Consult an ortho/neuro specialist having success rate in treating infectious diseases.