help need MRI interpretation

  • Thread starter Thread starter spolio
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spolio

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hello,

back ground info,
3 months ago i fell at work, slip and fall accident, immediately had leg pain, had a few days off, went to see Dr.
still in pain, Dr told me off work for now,
tried going back to work several times,
all ended in me leaving work because of the pain from my buttocks to my toes left leg, worksafe sent me to their Dr, he got me the MRI in 5 days,
then has me wait almost a month to see him for the results, and this is how it reaRAB:

L5/S1 mild to moderate diffuse central bulge, slightly more prominent on the left.
the left exiting S1 nerve root is very minimally impinged as it exits from the thecal sac. The right forming nerve roots do not appear to be impinged. The exiting left L5 nerve roots are normal.
IMPRESSION: disc bulge at eh level of L5/S1 which does cause some mild mass affect upon the anterior thecal sac and does appear the be very slightly impinged upon the forming S1 root.

this is in another language for me.

Now my family Dr. has told me I am off work for a few months, and to take it easy nothing to taxing on my back, no long walks, running, just to take it easy, taking neproxen and lyrica/2X a day with T3s when needed

I go see the worksafe Dr. next week,
what is his interpretation of the mri going to be,
and can he over rule my Dr, who is treating me?
but mostly I am curious about this MRI, when I asked about surgery,
my Dr. says we will cross the bridge when we come to it,
the worksafe Dr. on my first visit asked me how i felt about getting surgery, before he even booked me the MRI, so is this something that is surgical,
or should i listen to my Dr. first and go with the wait and see method.
If anyone can help me out and ease my worries or at least fill me in on if this is serious? or something that will pass in a few months.
Thanks.
 
hello spolio in terms we both understand you have a slipped disc. they call it a bulge because it is a bulge your disc is like a donut, if you squeeze a donunt the jam will come out. now depending on where the bulge is left right annular central will depend on your pain and chances of an operation. the thecal sac nerve if fully impinged will result in your kidneys and bowls not working properly. dont be alarmed by that if that happened you would be nurab in the genital area and would pee without knowing. then they would have to operate to relieve the pressure. hope you understand a bit more sean
 
Hello, and welcome to the forum.

The MRI is not showing anything really bad at this point, so I do not think surgery is indicated. In fact, surgery should be the very last thing you do when all other treatment fails. The only thing the MRI shows that is at all troublesome is the L5-S1 level which has a moderate bulge that is just barely touching the nerve which may be causing irritation. I think the lyrica and, naproxyn, and not straining your back in any way is a reasonable start. As the laws are different in your country, I don't know which doctor has the final say, but no matter what, I wouldn't advise surgery right now. Once you have had your spine worked on, you are much more susceptible to further injury.

If you don't feel better, ask your doctor about phyical therapy and/or seeing a doctor who manages pain with injections and other treatments.

I hope this helps some.

Carol
 
Thanks for your replies,
it has cleared up alot for me.
thanks again.
it all helped, i now feel a little more
informed as to what is going on.
 
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