Can someone help to interpret this MRI finding?

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hopalong_too

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I have been having hip and leg as well as foot issues for months now. Muscle and bone pain. Thought it was because of Vitamin D deficiency so the doctor has me on 50,000IU Vitamin D supplementation. I had a nerve conduction study and EMG which were normal. The neurologist couldn't find anything wrong. I had an MRI of the lower back and the neurologist said all was OK with that too.

I just got a copy of the MRI results. Is there anyone that can help me to understand if this MIGHT be causing some of my pain and also the heaviness in my legs. Any thoughts would be really appreciated.

L4-L5 there is a tiny posterior disc annular tear or fissure with slight subligamentous disc protrusion. Moderate facet arthrosis is seen. No nerve root encroachment, central canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis is noted.

L5-S1 there is a small posterior disc annular tear or fissure with slight posterior subligamentous disc protrusion, not impacting neural structures. Mild facet arthrosis is noted. No central canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.

Thank you, Hoppy:confused:
 
I know, Monkey. Thank you! I wasn't meaning to sound testy.:( The pain does get the better of me sometimes. I hate to even ask for something stronger than Ibuprofen. The problem is: with no diagnosis and the doctor saying all the tests are normal, I am too erabarrassed :o(for lack of a better word?) and don't have enough confidence left to ask so I just sit here and am miserable to my family! I am just so tired of it all! Thanks for letting me vent. Hoppy
 
Wow! No one? That's OK! I get passed from doctor to doctor. They do "a test", say it's normal and say come back if it gets worse! If it wasn't bad, I wouldn't have gone in the first place! Why can't they work together and fit the MANY pieces like a puzzle?
 
Hello, "hoppy"...I also have annular tears in my disc protrusions (as of the MRI done in May of 2007). Do you think the annular tear is caused from the pressure of the disc and that the gel is leaking out of it? It makes me wonder. Please continue to update!
 
hoppy, thats okay i like i said can totaly understand. I would just ask if they can see your in pain they will give it . Take care, Love, Monkey
 
Hoppy, I feel your pain! I, too, am always too unsure of myself to ask for better pain relief. Now that I also have severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome going on as well, it makes me less uneasy about asking for better pain medication. I have an appointment with my doctor on the 21st of March for a two month follow-up and am going to talk to her face-to-face about my pain medication(s). I am prescribed (3) hydrocodone 5/500 daily but can double that whenever I am having severe neck spasms (because of degenerative disc disease). I also take Mobic, Diclofenac, Flexeril (which I am going to have to discontinue, due to severe drowsiness), and Soma. I also take 3 different medications for my heart condition. Please read the posts on this board about how to approach your doctor about better pain relief. I know I have had to ask several times. I pray that you get better pain relief, soon because it will improve your quality of life. Sincerely, Tam
 
I'm sorry but I have no idea what that would mean. All I do know is that the neurologist said he sees nothing wrong with the MRI results since there is no encroachment of neural structures. What do you mean by "gel leaking out" and what is an "annular tear in a disc protrusion". PLEASE excuse my ignorance of this! I assure you I will learn! It is just new to me. Thank you again, Hoppy
 
hopalong, try not to get too discouraged here, not many people know what to say to this kind of thing when someone posts as we are not dr.s just supporters! I have similiar issues like you and you just have to keep fighting and get answers. I deal with low back,hip, leg and foot pain and have been told everythings normal persay. It may take several dr.s and several appts. to get anywhere, but right now you should maybe just try to get relief. Take care and keep us updated!
Love,Monkey
 
Hoppy, one more thing...Maybe you could post again, just re-word it and maybe title it "MRI Results...Please Help!" I know that there are merabers here that can definitely help you out with the results. Sincerely, Tam
 
I responded to another thread of yours....I try to liken disc bulges and disc herniations like this....a disc is like a water balloon. You have a bunch of discs that are between each verterbrae so they can protect them from rubbing against each other ....the verterbrae essential protect the nerves in your spine.

If the L5-S1 disc / 'balloon' gets compressed by verterbrae either through an accident or even by a sneeze, the disc matter (gel / liquid in the disc) can either bulge out or actually herniate (the liquid can pop out of the disc). If it bugles, the liquid can squish against your nerves in the spine. Those nerves run down your back to your hip and leg causing pain. If the disc herniates, the disc breaks and the liquid actually presses against the nerves in the spine causing pain.

Where the pain happens depenRAB on which disc is bulging....for example...I had a disc herniation 2 times in L5-S1 area. One herniation impacted my left hip and left leg and the second herniation it impacted my left knee down to my left foot. I have had 2 back surgeries for these and also 3 other surgeries related to the second herniation that had to do with my foot.

Your results stated that there were 2 disc protrusion and to me, that sounRAB like 2 bulges. Also, your results showed No nerve root encroachment which means that the disc matter was not impinging against your nerve. This is a good thing. Spinal stenosis just means that your spine has narrowed. Usually that happens as you get older. Also, disc bulges are very very common and most people have them.

Please discuss the results with your orthopedic surgeon and/or search all the worRAB contained in your mri as well for more information. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.
 
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