lower back mri arthritis

[Pete18]

Hi:  I have had on and off lower back pain, more on one side - most often lower back just above the buttocks, for 5-10 years.  I has typically been unbearable for 3-5 days, then went away for years.  Now, since mid Jan it has not gone away.  Had an MRI done, and Dr thinks it could be a pinched nerve, disk issue, and/or arthritis.  I am 48 - I work out every day - no kidding!  I use weights, but not to 'body build', but to create resistance.  I typically work out at least 30 min per day.   I was in an auto accident 30 years ago, resulting in TBI - but I am very lucky.  My recovery was remarkable, and to look at me in 'daily life', you would be shocked to know this.  I have dexterity and balance issues, and other than those, I live a very nice and comfortable life.  When I called the ortho office for the appointment, the nurse asked me why I was calling, and I told her - as my primary Dr told me to say - that I have an 'Abnormal MRI of the lower back.'  Her reply is what makes me uncomfortable.  She said, "Oh my!  That's not good!"  I asked her to clarify, but I think she felt embarrassed and told me she did not mean to alarm me... Any reason I should not be worried???  Thank you!

[squirtatious]

Your dr just "thinks". Is ur dr a neurologist or neurosurgeon or other spine specialist? I would recommend getting several opinions from different drs

[Kalvin]

I wouldn't worry much about the the nurse's reaction to what you said. I doubt if there's a person over 30 that has a so-called "normal MRI". Lots of people that have abnormal MRI findings are asymptomatic.So unless she's some kind of psychic or something  she really has no way of knowing the severity of your condition.It was an inappropriate comment, maybe she's new.