Lumbar spine MRI
Please help me understand my results. Will surgery help? I have been doing PT, laser therapy, acupuncture, ultrasound... and have been on Celebrex and Ultram for 6 months. I am currently waiting to see a neurosurgeon.
There is a gentle lordosis; no significant abnormalities on alignment. No significant bone marrow signal abnormalities. There is a focal hypointense T1 hyperintense T2 signal area underneath the superior endplate of L3 query small Schmorl hernia. The spinal canal and neural foramina are within normal limits at T11-T12, T12-L1, L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4.
L4-L5: There is a global bulge disc with central annular tear without evidence of herniation of nucleus pulpous. There is hypertrophy of ligament flava. There is a mild stenosis left lateralized, due to the above described bulge disc which appears to be in contact with the L5 nerve root however no clear evidence of compression, mild posterior displacement cannot be excluded. There is a mild OA of the facet joints. The neural foramina are within normal limits.
L5-S1: The spinal canal and neural foramina are within normal limits; mild irregular aspect of the facet joints may represent early OA.
The conus medullaris is located at T12-L1 within normal limits. No significant abnormalities on the included distal spinal cord.
Impression: L4-L5 discopathy as described causing mild spinal stenosis. Questionable posterior displacement of the L5 nerve root.