hi, im a newbie, looking for some peace of mind!

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shazmcb

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Hi, I'm Sharon, from Scotland. I'm had 19 months of chronic back pain since a bump in a car. I've only now had an MRI done. I'm just wondering if anyone can give me a laymans interpretation of these results, and if any surgery will be required.....

'There is a broad posterior degenerative bulge of the l4/l5 disc, this extenRAB into both lateral recesses but there is no evidence of nerve root compression. The remaining discs appear healthy, spinal canal and its contents appear normal, sagittal alignment is satisfactory. Paraspinal soft tissues appear normal. No evidence of vertebral loss of height or structure.

Opinion
Broad posterior bulge at L4/5 disc, no evidence of nerve root compression.'

Thanks very much. x
 
Hi Sharon,
Sorry to hear about the accident and your back pain,
Your Mri is showing that you have a disc prolapse, but its good news that its not pressing on the nerves as this is the main cause of sciatica (nerve pain in legs etc). Have you read anything about prolapsed discs?
How much pain has your back been causing you? is it stopping you from doing everyday things? Are you taking meRAB?
Do you know if you will be seeing a consultant about the disc prolapse?

What usually happens now is that the disc will be treated conservatively, probably with some physio and gentle exercises, Ive had a few frienRAB who have been really helped in this way and have not had problems again now years on.
It all depenRAB on your pain, and how your daily life is affected, if all goes well some physio and exercises to build your core muscles that support your spine will help to improve your condition, and if that doesnt help then other options will be looked into further down the line.
Surgery would be considered as an option if all else failed and you were in constant pain, but hopefully it wont come to that. It looks as though the rest of your spine around it is looking really good which is a positive encouragement, so Im sure that you will be referred for physio to help.
Hope that this helps hun
take care, warmest wishes
sarah
 
sarah, thank you for your advice, its much appreciated. those mri scans certainly dont make for easy reading, but i guess i shouldve waited till i seen a doc about it on monday, instead of working myself up.

I had seen an insurance company consultant initially back in August who thought it might be a prolapsed disc which was getting worse. I've only recently had the scan (organised through the insurance company). I wont see him again so i've asked the results to be passed onto my doctor. I dont know what happens from here. I had a set of 8 physio sessions last year, and am now starting another set. Though the problem is neither my gp or a hospital physio or the first physio or the 2nd physio diagnosed a prolapsed disc!! perhaps now when the 2nd physio has the appropriate information they may be able to work on it better.

I am in constant pain since the first day. The pain gradually worsening till now i have a pain patch, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories and top up painkillers every day.

Thanks again
sharon
 
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