Help Translate MRI Results!

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michele51405

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I just picked up my MRI results. Can someone please help me translate.....
I'm really concerned about the disc degeneration since I'm only 26.....

FINDINGS:
The vertebral body heights, alignment, and marrow signal characteristics are preserved. The conus terminates at T12-L1. Disc desiccation is noted primarily from L3-L4 through L5-S1 with mild reduction in disc height at these levels and no acute endplate changes. Schmorl's node formation of the thoracolurabar junction is identified.

At L3-L4 there is disc bulging, facet arthropathy, and a small central annular tear with borderline left L4 root contact at the lateral recess level.

At L4-L5 disc bulging and facet arthropathy are noted with a broad-base left central protrusion/annular tear producing left-greater-than-right root impingement at the lateral recess levels. Neural foraminal encroachment is mild.

L5-S1 there is mild central stenosis due to small central protrusion with borderline S1 root contact. The neural foramina demonstrate mild narrowing.

IMPRESSION:
1. No vertebral compression or acute marrow pathology with thoracolurabar junction Schmorl's node formation.
2. L3-L4 disc bulging and annular tear with minimal left L4 root contact.
3. Mild L4-L5 central stenosis with left paracentral protrusion/annular tear producing left-greater-than-right L5 root impingement at the lateral recess level without significant neural foraminal encroachment.
4. Mild L5-S1 central stenosis with small central protrusion producing minimal S1 root contact. The neural foramina a generally intact.
 
Hi Michele and welcome to the forum. I can't totally interpret this but I will tell you what I know.

At L3-4 you have a bulging disc with an annular tear that has light contact with the L4 nerve. Annular tear is a tear in the disc that allows the contents to drip or ooze out and that can irritate the nerves.

At L4-5 the disc is bulging and causing nerve root compression. This disc also has a tear in it. The foraminal openings (where nerves enter) is fine.

L5-S1 is bulging toward the spinal canal but not touchingit; it is lightly touching the S-1 nerve root.

MaY I ask what king of pain you are having and where it is, what it feels like? What kind of doctor ordered the MRI? He should have explained the findings to you and made suggestions as to whether any treatment is needed.

You can get a lot of information on the lurabar spine just by using your search engine. You can find everything you need to know about the discs, nerve roots etc without any trouble.

I hope this helped just a bit and that you will stay in touch. If you answer those questions, you may get more replies. Maybe start a new post.

Best of luck.

Carol
 
Thanks for your reply Carol. I actually have very little pain. My main issue has been this heavy/asleep feeling that travels down my entire right leg. This all started after I gave birth to my daughter in May 09. It started then with just the upper half of my leg and then within the last few months the feeling traveled down my entire leg so I finally contacted my orthopedic doctor. My ortho doc requested the MRI and basically just told me that I had 3 bulging dics and not additional details. I stopped by the hospital where I had the MRI done and requested a copy of the report for myself and there seemed to be a lot more info on the report then what my doc told me. I've been doing physical therapy for the last 3 weeks now and it has helped. The lower half of my leg feels much better, but no changes at all yet in the top half of my leg. My doc recommended I get epidural injections which I haven't done yet.
 
Have you thought about getting a second opinion from another doctor....one who specializes in the spine? If you are finding a lot of info that wasn't reported to you, then I personally would not want that doctor caring for me. I want someone who is open and honest and who listens and explains. I notice you said ortho....is he a spine specialist? At any rate, another opinion can't hurt a thing. Take your films and the report and let him look it all over.

It's good that you are improved, but it isn't gone, so you need to find out why.

Good luck

Carol
 
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