what does my MRI report mean

[CasiW87]

It says, " L3-4 mild facet hypertrophy"
L4-5 Mild facet hypertrophy
L5-S1 Facet Hypertrophy
is there a difference between it saying mild and just Facet Hypertrophy?  Is this why my lower back even hurts? Their conclusion is "Mild Degenerative Disc Disease.
   For the Thoracic report it says, " Several midthoracic vertebrae disc spaces are narrowed with small disc bulges. No significant spinal stenosis identified. Their conclusion says." Degenerative Disc Desease"
  I just want to know what exactly does this mean, what ususally is the treatment for this? I'm only 28 and I hurt so bad!
thank you for any help.

[squirtatious]

Some info on degenerative hypertrophy of the facet joints:    Inflammatory Facet Hypertrophy
Facet Hypertrophy

Facet hypertrophy is a diagnosis which is often blamed for creating the ideal circumstances for chronic back pain. After all, hypertrophic changes to the spinal joints will not get better with time. Instead, they will almost certainly get worse.  Hypertrophy is a word which means abnormal enlargement of the joint structures.  Hypertrophy of the spinal facet joints is the process which is theorized to enact painful symptoms and is usually diagnosed as facet joint syndrome. The condition is a normal degenerative process that occurs in the spine as we age. I hope this information helps!!!! *hugs*

[laine511]

I have had a similar MRI, but mine says "bilateral degenerative facet changes with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy" along with bulging L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5. My L5-S1 apparently is exiting my S-1 a nerve root.

All I know is that I have had back pain for about 4 years now. It took my insurance 12 moths to finally approve my MRI and those were a part of the result. My doctor initially prescribed Voltaren, a NSAID. I didn't think it was helping so now I take Mobic once in the morning. I don't want to have to take anything stronger, especially when you read all the possible side effects of long term use. Maybe one of those can help you for now. I am beginning to think that it has stopped working for me though. I also have Ultram for pain, as needed, but that doesn't seem to help at all on my really bad days, and I don't want yo take anything stronger like hydrocodone, or oxcycodone. I have no idea what is going to be my next plan of action, but from all that I've been reading, it seems that a chiropractor, acupuncture and massage therapy won't help.

What I do find that helps is, I will use a heating pad for about 30 minutes and then use my TENS unit for about an hour right after, TENS are pretty inexpensive. I bought mine online for about $40.

Good luck, I hope this may help you a bit.