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747010 tn?1234235962

MRI results

can someone help me understand these mri results and tell me possible treatment for this?

At L4-L5 there is mild disk desiccation and flattening. There is mild posterior annular tearing and dic protrusion present causing mild central canal narrowing and crowding of the subarticular portions of the bilateral L5 nerve roots. There is mild bilateral forminal narrowing secondary to disk bulging and endplate spurring as well.

At L5-S1 there is mild desiccation, flattening and bulging. There is superimposed mild posterior disc protrusion centrally which crowds the left S1 nerve root mildly. The neural foramina are minimally narrowed secondary to disc bulging and endplate spurring.  Degenerative disc disease and bulging L4-L5 and L5-S1 with small associated disc protrusions.

What does degenerative disc disease mean?
Is there a treatment option that doesn't include taking a bunch of pills for the rest of my life?
Any help understanding these findings and learning of treatment options would be greatly appreciated.
8 Responses
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547368 tn?1440541785
Hello and Welcome to the Pain Management Forum.

You have added your question on to an old thread that belongs to another member. You will obtain better suggestions and responses by beginning you own thread (Question).  Please do so.

Thanks,
~Tuck
Helpful - 0
1804591 tn?1316086506
Hi! I've been suffering from recurring left leg electric-like pain. It's been 5 months now and the shooting pain is still occasionally felt. First, my doctor conducted doppler test to check if it is DVT( Deep Vein Thrombosis) but the Vascular Surgeon informed me that it's not about the veins. Second, I undergone MRI test in my lumbar spine because my doctor told me that maybe the cause of pain is coming  from my lower back and its just radiating to my left leg. I got my MRI result and found out that I have "early disc desiccation on my L5-S1 but no pain on my lower back at all. Could anyone  help me or advise me where to go for second opinion? Does anyone know what I've been suffering right now? Don't know what to do... :(( Thanks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
As someone who seems to have a good understanding in this area, could you please speculate as to why my surgeon disagrees with my MRI report. The report says that I have a compression at L5/S1 from a bulging disc. The surgeon says it's not disc material, and it's not displacing the nerve root. Rather it is scar tissue from an earlier operation that he performed. He's not worried in any event because I am not symptomatic from an S1 distribution.
The Radioligist insists he is right! Who do I believe? Does it matter what it is, if I don't have symptoms?
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747010 tn?1234235962
Thank you for telling me that. I have panic attacks and that's another reason I'm scared. I'm scared i'll have a panic attack while I'm in there for the procedure. But if they will give me something that's less for me to worry about and gives me some comfort.  Thanks again, I don't know why i didn't think of that. lol
Helpful - 0
712802 tn?1274645485
I'm sorry you are having pain - I can relate. I also have ddd. Hawk and Tuck gave you a lot of good advice. I really can't add anything, but you asked about relaxing - they should give you something to help you relax if you request it. I've had the injections and mine never really hurt much. I did get relief from them. Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you.
Helpful - 0
747010 tn?1234235962
Thanks a lot guys. I feel a little better now that I understand some of the terms used. I have a series of appointments set up for facet injections the first of which is 2/17/09 @3pm,and another  appointment with my pain management team on 2/9/09 @7:30 am. They've given me lycria and percocet for the pain.The dr. said surgery is an option but he wants me to get these injections before we discuss it further. I'm very scared of needles and these injections sound very painful. I saw Hulk Hogan get them on his show Hogan Knows Best, and honestly I'm terrified. He didn't move or anything but it looked painful and then some. He did say that after the injections for several weeks he was almost completely pain free. Any ideas on how to relax during this procedure?
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Hello Babygurl,

I am certainly sorry for all the spinal issues you have going on. Hawk did a good job of responding to your post. It is filled with a lot of medical terminology that I will attempt to help you understand. It can be confusing.

First degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common condition seen in many ppl as they get age.  “Degenerative disc disease” sounds like a progressive, very threatening condition. However, this condition is not strictly degenerative and is not really a disease. Many medical professionals don’t agree on what the phrase describes. usually does not get worse and in fact usually gets better over time.  Degeneration refers to the inflammatory proteins within the disc spaces. The younger you are when diagnosed the more apt you are to have pain. However this condition generally will eventually burn itself out.

Disc desiccation is abnormal dryness of the discs. As a result of this dryness and loss of fluid, the disc(s) degenerate (wear away) to a degree. Disc desiccation is the earliest visible sign of disc degeneration.

Posterior annular tearing refers to a small tear of your disc at the posterior (back) portion of the disc that is present in one of your discs. Mild narrowing is present due to the discs abnormal structure. That narrowing is causing some of your nerves in your spine to be mildly compressed.

The MRI also reveals that you have some bone spurs (spurring) on your spine. These can also resolve on their own. However they can be very painful in the meantime.

"Degenerative disc disease and bulging L4-L5 and L5-S1 with small associated disc protrusions". simply means that due to the DDD you have structural changes of the discs that are protruding into the spinal canal.

All in all you have a multitude of reasons for pain. What the treatment will be will totally depend on your surgeon and you. What approach is best treatment can be decided when he explains all your options. I doubt that surgery will be the first choice. I think he/she may take a more wait and see approach and suggest non-invasive treatments. The neurosurgeons that I personally know have always beleived that surgery is the very last approach. And I highly recommend that you see a very good, experienced neurosurgeon.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have more specific questions please feel fee to ask. I wish you the very best. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward with interest to your updates. Take Care, Tuck
Helpful - 0
667015 tn?1268595478
Hi I am sorry to hear that you are in pain and discomfort. From what you said on the MRI results, your pain is being caused by the bulging and this can be fixed mabey in a few ways. They might be able to give you a shot ( injection into the spine ) which will try and push the disk back away from the nerve and also give the nerve a steroid to try and help it heal faster. But your reading looks alot like mine did after my 3rd surgery. They might be able to go in and fix the disk areas, this is not a bad option if it all goes well and you take everything slow and let your body heal. I do not know that much about Degenerative disc disease but I do know a few ppl that have it and altho they do take some pills some times they are able to have a very happy life. But again the pain you are having I feel is caused by the bulge hitting the S1 nerve. This can be fixed. I had a disk discisectomy ( spelling is more than likley wrong ) but a good nerosurgeon can do this and hopefully take away the pain. But also because it is a slight bulge a steriod shot might also help without having to have surgery. Please talk to your Dr's about this and all of your options. And let us know what they have recommended.


R/
Adam
Helpful - 0
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