Need help reading MRI

[TonyB22]

I recently had an MRI on my Lumbar spine and the results are as follows -The intervertebral discs demonstrate L1-L2 mild degenerative change,  At L4-L5 there is disc bulging,facet joint hypertrophy causing bilateral mild neural foraminal stenosis. At L3-L4 there is congenital pedicle shortening,facet joint hypertrophy causing mild spinal stenosis and bilateral mild neural foraminal stenosis. Im 23 y/o M and have been in pain for the past year and a half from a slip and fall at a corp hq, would liike some input on what that reads and possible some options to relieve some of this pain! Thanks

[floodmaster76]

Read my posts on my Lumbar Spinal fusion surgery and it explains what I have been through from a falling accident at work. I can only give you advise to don't do what I have done. It has been 2 years and I tried everything from the shots all the way to spinal fusion surgery.Now only time will tell if the surgery helped as of right now I wouldn't recommend it unless there are no other options.  But everyone is different but for me it seemed to get worse the more my Doctors did. I would maybe suggest Physical Therapy and see if that helps. If I can be of anymore help please let me know. Hope you feel better!!!  Tony

[atonicat]

Have you tried anti inflammatories? Facet joint hypertrophy is inflammation of the facet joints that can lead to things like facet arthritis. Most of my problems are from facet arthritis. I went through a series of epidural injections and then finally had all the nerves burned from L1-L5 in my facet joints. It's taken away almost all of my pain. I'm also on Celebrex and that helps as well.

If you don't want to get injections or nerve burning you could try things like Aleve and heat and ice.

[TonyB22]

Thanks for the reply, i have not had a follow up yet but have discussed possibilities and im not to happy with the options weve discussed, such as shots or surgery. Well thanks anyways i can only wait and see

[mommy52]

My first question is: Have you had a follow-up appt. with the doctor that ordered the MRI. That would be the best place to start. Sometimes when we look at all the medical terminology tat is written, it's scary. Let us know what you find out and what your doctor tells you.     Madlyn