On Oct 21, while carrying a laundry basket full of clothes, I slipped on a bag of oranges and fell in my kitchen floor, straight down on my tail bone. I have had severe back pain radiating down my buttocks and both my legs since. I also have had increasing numbness/tingling down my left leg. I've been on Lortab 7.5 and Motrin 800 mg since with little relief. I've also tried Flexeril and Medrol dose pack with no relief. I've also tried Physical Therapy that was not successful. My doctor finally sent me for an MRI last week, and now wants me to try to see a Pain Management Specialist before opting to do last resort surgery.
My question is 2 fold really,
1st what do these MRI results really mean?
Level by level:
L5/S1: Broad-based posterior disk bulge
L4/5: Annular disk bulge, facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening contributing to moderate bilateral neural foraminal and moderate canal stenosis.
L3/4: Facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening contributing to mild canal stenosis.
L2/3: Facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening
L1/2: Facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening
Impression:
Multilevel degenerative changes with moderate bilateral neural foraminal and canal stenosis at L4/5
My 2nd question is: Should I get a 2nd opinion? I am really frustrated and losing my patience with this pain and the process. I can't function like this, I don't know how much more I can endure.
Please help.