MRI done & confused by results

painintheback.

I can give it a try:


"Normal vertebral alignment." >> The bones all line up the way they are supposed to. No abnormal curves noted.

"Dessicated disc and moderate sized central disc protrusion present at L4-5 level with the disc material abutting and likely resulting in some minor impingement on the descending L5 nerve roots bilaterally." >> The disc at this level has lost some of its water content (desiccation). This is the first stage of degeneration in the disc. The disc bulges, going straight back (central) towards the spinal canal. The disc touches the L5 nerve roots as they exit the spine. There may be some mild pressure on the nerve roots.

"There is some minimal facet joint hypertrophy at L4-5 and L3-4 levels also." >> The facet joints are located in the posterior aspect of the vertebrae. These are synovial joints in which the elements in the posterior aspect articulate with each other. These joints are subject of degenerative changes and the first sign of this is hypertrophy. This is where the joints enlarge.

"No degenerative disc protrusions and widely patent neural foramena at remaining lumbar visualised lower thoracic levels." >> There are NO disc herniations or annular tears. In other words, the cartilage ring of the disc (annulus fibrosis) is not torn and the jelly like insides of the disc complex (nucleus pulposus) has not leaked out (herniated). So, the discs are all intact. The neural foramena are the holes through which the nerve root exit the spine. These holes are wide open, there is no compression of the nerve roots.

"No abnormality identified within the visualised lower cord and conus. No other abnormality." >> The spinal cord and the nerve roots low down in the spine are all normal.


So, at one level you have a disc bulge which contacts the L5 nerve roots and may push on those roots a little. That disc has some degenerative changes. And the posterior joints at that level have minimal arthritis.

But, these findings have to be correlated with your history and examination. By themselves they don't mean too much, unless your symptoms can be explained by them.

When you see your surgeon again, be sure to ask any questions you have. If you do not understand something, have him/her explain it again, until you do.

Good luck.