is this bad

[brianj61871]

My mri came back and i dont understand how bad this is could use some help here is some of it..Disc protrusions T4-T5 T5-T6 T6-T7 T7-T8 T8-T9 T10-T11 T11-T12 T12-L1 L3-L4 L4-L5 ON L5-S1 is a broad based central disc protrusion.the protrusion does abut the ventral thecal sac and s1 nerve roots.facet degenerative change of moderate severity present.l4-l5 disc material abuts and deforms the thecal sac to the left.t7-t8 there is a superior migration of disc material in the ventral midline.that is some of it..is this that bad is this considered disable..any help would be nice..thanks

 

[backhurtz]

Disc protrusion is simply another word for describing disc bulges. Anyone after the age of 20 can have a disc bulge. For the majority of people it simply means that the disc is bulging a bit , kind of like if you squish a balloon, it gets a bit rounder and flatter.....not a big deal in most cases.
The disc material at T7-8 has broken off from a disc. That is a concern. The disc protrusion at L5-S1 is touching the thecal sac , which contains the nerves. It doesn't say how badly it is touching the S1 nerves. You do have moderate facet arthritis.
Who did the MRI? They will probably send you for a consultation with a spine surgeon. Make sure that whoever they send you to is a board certified spine surgeon, either orthopedic or neurosurgeon.