MRI results are in just getting some feedback

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midimonk

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Greetings all,

Just wanted to see if anyone may have a similar condition or could explain the results in lay-mans terms.I am awaiting a follow up and understand no one is a doc just seeking info beyond what I have read.

Findings:

At L1-2 through L3-4 there is minimal facet arthropathy, normal disc height and signal intensity without central or foraminal stenosis.

At L4-5 There is minimal facet arthropathy and mild ligamentum flavum hypertrophy bilaterally,also without significant central or foraminal stenosis.Disc height, signal intensity within normal limits.

At L5-S1 there are bilateral chronic appearing pars defects with grade 1 spondylolisthesis of approx. 6 mm.There is disc space narrowing and degenerative loss of disc signal in addition to a moderate annular disc bulge.There is marked bilateral foraminal stenosis, right slightly greater than left.There is no significant central stenosis.Bone marrow signal intensity is normal at all levels.The conus appears to end just below the L1-2 disc.

According to MRI impression readings: Chronic bilateral L5 pars defects with grade 1 spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 and marked bilateral foraminal stenosis.


I have high levels of pain daily(just got rx'd 4 x 10/325 norco to help) just finished a 3x weekly for one month PT sessions(had ran the limit in medicare) and hope to have a massage therapist help with the intense muscle spasms and tightness that make it hard to breathe or relax.I have had 2 instances of urinary loss in sleep as well.The spasms cause my left side ribs to feel like a vice grip is implemented at times as well.

Thank you in advance,

Matt
 
Matt, I am not the best at reading MRI results, but I hate for you to not get any responses at all, so I'll give it a shot.

They are saying that everything above L4 looks fine but that at the L4-5 level you have mild facet (fa SET) arthritis and everything else looks okay.

At the L5-S1 level, you have a vertabrae that is slipping forward about 6mm which is considered mild....that is the spondylolithesis. The disc at that level has bulged. You have bilateral (both sides)foraminal stenosis. That is, the area where the nerve exits the spine has narrowed which puts pressure on that nerve.

I can't help much more than this and I hope it gives you some idea of what is going on.

Carol
 
Matt, if you haven't told your doctor about the 2 instances of losing bladder control, you need to do that right away. That can be a dangerous situation and you shouldn't waste time reporting it. Your dr. should waste no time in getting you in for further testing if necessary in order to rule out Cauda Equina Syndrome. I hope your spine specialist does not take this lightly as it could be a very serious matter.

Carol
 
Matt,
I felt like I should pipe in since your MRI is so similar to mine, except that my slippage (spondylolithesis) is one vertebre up at L4-L5. I also have the pars defect, stenosis, disk bulge, same as you.

I am not in extreme pain usually but do have problems sometimes with my back seeming like it's not stable, and cramping in my calves and sometimes feet. I didn't have any luck with P.T., or even massage therapy, but did find some temporary relief with acupuncture.

I agree with Carol about seeing to the possible dx of cauda equina; thats usually a sign of severe nerve impairment and damage.

I wish you the best in your treatment and hope you find something to relieve you of your discomfort.
 
Thank you all for the insight, I do have a follow up to review the results and its always nice to see what others who have been thru have to say.

Thank you all and I will comeback with the follow up.
 
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