I posted this in April 2006:
I recently had an mri for severe lower back pain (which extended into my hips, buttocks and legs) - my doctor (an orthopedic surgeon who has performed several surgeries on my knees for me so I trust him) is sending me to physical therapy for 4 weeks and if I don't notice any improvement he is then sending me to a spinal specialist.
so...Here is my question (s) - he gave me a copy of the mri report but didn't do the best job of explaining it thoroughly to me - can you please tell me (in plain english) what it all means?
It was an mri on the lower spine without contrast impression: (1) transitional vertebra enumerated as s1, (2) degeneration of invertebral discs and disc displacements as described.

Findings:

desiccation of multiple interverbral discs is seen indicating degeneration of invertebral discs.

A transitional vertebra is noted, and for the purposes of this study will be enumerated as s1 corresponding to the plain film.

L3-4: no significant disc bulge, canal stenosis, or neural foraminal narrowing.

L4-5: small broad based disc bulge indents the anterior thecal sac. Mild ligamentum flavum and facet hypertrophy is noted. No significant canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.

L5-s1: small broad disc bulge with annular tear and small right paracentral focal protrusion, indenting the anterior thecal sac. Mild ligamentum flavum and facet hypertrophy is noted. No significant canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing.

S1-2: large focal central protrusion indents the anterior thecal sac as an fyi, since then my knees, which I have had several surgeries for my condition (osteochondritis dissecens of the weight-bearing femoral cartlidge sp?) have been bothering me again after 2 years of peace - in fact one of them is just as sore as my back & keeps popping again. We think my knees are the result of a car accident I was in back in 1992.[/quote]

SO I went through PT, took some meds (which the first batch made me gain weight) but really nothing has helped. Now whenever I sneeze the pain theat rips through my back is torturous, my hips hurt when I lie down to sleep - I am not comfortable in any position when I lie down and to add insult to injury I'm having urine leakage when I kneel or squat - really great for playing with the niece & nephew. WHat should I do?!?!