Back Pain Forum - MRI results ?

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What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....

Q: MRI results ?

asked by: hotvans on April 29th, 2008

New User

Hi I am in the UK and would appreciate some advice from anhyone who can help.

2 years ago I hurt my back and despite physio and rest etc still have a back problem - I only recently got an MRI for the first time and have had the results back but have been told there is nothing to be done and nothing to worry about - although I would like to believe that my experience of the NHS has not been the best os if anyone can explain these results to me a bit further I would very much appreciate it.

Schmorl nodes seen at the superior surface of S1.
There is a loss of T2 disc signal with decrease in the height of the disc and mild disc bulge.
At L4-L5 levels there is flattening of the disc with minimal impingement on theca.

Does anyone know what this actually means?

Thank you

Replies(4)

RichT

replied on April 30th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Hello Hotvans,

It is not for me to try and "analyze" your MRI report. That needs to be done by a spinal surgeon.

All I can say is that there are some issues with your spine. Don't believe for a second that "thee is nothing to be done and nothing to worry about". If that were true your back would not be hurting.

SOOOooo do see the best spinal surgeon you can and have her/him look at your MRI images, examine you and give you her/his determination of what is wrong with your back and what should be done to ease your pain.

A side note - Doctors in the US and the UK like to push pain medications.

hotvans

replied on April 30th, 2008

New User

hi - thanks for the response but as i do not have private healthcare i do not have access to a spinal surgeon unless i am referred to one through the nhs and i wont be referred to one unless my consultant thinks there is a need.

are there any sites i can go to to find out more about my results?

thank you

RichT

replied on April 30th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Hello Hotvans,

Will try and continue - my computer locked up for some reason.

Pain medications just cover up your pain at best, they do not take care of what is causing the pain. Try not to go that route as one can become very addicted to pain meds, and it is not easy to get off of them. Been there, done that.

RichT

Just noticed your response. It HURTS to know of the difficulty you and other have in the UK to see a specialist. Is there any way you can go to another "consultant" who will encourage you to see a spine specialist? Sure do hope so.

Take care.

rollar64

replied on May 1st, 2008

Experienced User

Schmorl nodes are when the disk ruptures at the top or the bottom of the disk and some of the disk cartilage protrudes into the adjacent vertebra. S1 is the top of your sacrum which is the bone in the middle of your pelvis.

T2 is around about the level of your shoulders as your report says the disk has lost height and has a mild bulge.

L4-L5 is the second bottom joint in your spine here there is a flattening of the disk that is touching the theca which is one of the membrane's that surrounds your spinal cord

good luck hotvans

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