MRI results for back pain

[welshboy316]

I'm a 32 year old male that's been suffering from chronic lower back pain now for the last 18 months. I've been to see numerous GP's, physios, chiropractors, etc. but none of them were helpful, so I decided to pay privately for an MRI scan. The report concludes:

"The significant finding therefore is a combination of facet degeneration and broad based disk prolapse at the L4-L5 resulting in canal stenosis and compression of the L5 nerve roots bilaterally, slightly worse on the right."

Other notes are:

"Sagittal scans show disc bulges at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 disk",

"At L4-L5 there is a central disk prolapse which narrows the spinal canal. It is aggravated by facet degeneration and hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum."

"The origins of both L5 nerve roots are compressed in the lateral recesses slightly more on the right. At L5-S1 there is a minor disk bulge."

Can anybody help me translate this into English please? What does this mean? I'm due to see a spinal specialist in the next few weeks.

Many thanks

[bigsissie]

As far as full recovery I don't think that will be possible. Because it has already gotten to the point that your nerves are being damaged. But you can help yourself by taking it easy, learning everything you can about back problems what you need to do to keep yours from becoming worse. Talk with your doctors. There should be no reason you would need surgery unless a nerve becomes pinched to the point of causing permanent damage. Physical therapy will help you a lot as well as teaching you safe strengthening exercises to strengthen your back and helping to keep some of the pressure off of your disc. I would only do surgery as a last resort because it can cause even more pain and weakness in the future. Send me a friend request if you have any more questions and we can just message back and forth. I have had back problems for 15 years and have gone around and around with drs for all of them lol. I am also not thinking really great right now and messages will be easier for me to keep track of. I just had surgery and am on pain meds so sorry in advance if I jump around a little. Best wishes, Sissie

[welshboy316]

Thanks for your reply. What are the chance of a full recovery? And how can I sort this out without surgery?

[bigsissie]

You have bulging disc at L4-5 and L5 S1 canal stenosis means narrowing of your spinal cord and because of all of this you have pinched nerves. More on the right side than the left. Please go to my profile and look at my pictures I have a picture of the spinal nerves and what they control that may be helpful to you. What your mri basically says is you have some serious back problems that need addressed asap.  Also feel free to message me if you have any more questions. I herniated s1-L5 also but didn't catch it in time so I now have permanent nerve damage, spinal steosis, tethered spinal cord and after my first srugery had two more disc herniate that are now considered inoperable because of all the damage in my back. Best wishes, Sissie