help me understand mri results

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bigbrat0629

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dorso-lurabar spine mri
t1&t2 weighted sagittal and axial images were obtained.
the lurabar vertebral bodies height with their bone marrow signal intensity are preserved.
d11&d12
reduced disc hydration with mild annular bulge indenting the thecal sac but the nerve roots look intact.
l4&l5
dehydrated disc, concentrically bulged with left paracentral tear and protusion compressing the thecal sac and mildly nerve roots (left>right).

l5-s1
mild annular disc bulge is present, indenting the thecal sac but not affecting the nerve roots.

no other significant discogenic pathology is seen.
the conus medullaris appears normal.


what does all this mean?
 
Think of the discs like grapes that are cushions between each level in the back. Your report basically means that the discs have shrunk a bit, they lost some of their height. This to me is normal as we age.
As to the nerve roots it doesnt appear that any of your nerves are being affected by the bulge. There are nerves that run thru the center of the spine and then there are nerves that exit the spine at various levels.
Your nerves in both cases are unaffected which to me is a good sign. We all go thru some degenerative changes in our spine. A bulge is a slight dislocation of the disc. A herniatioin means that the disc is protruding furhter out of place. There is a difference between a bulge and herniation. The herniation is more severe.
I don't think your report looks terrible. What does your doc tell you?
 
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