MRI scan spine lumbar and sacral

degenerative disc disease are changes to the disk they include things like loss of disk height lack of moisture in the disk and bulges.



"left lateral disc bulge causing indentation of the left S1 nerve."

A bulge in the disk at this level is pressing on a nerve that branches off the spinal cord.


"elsewhere non compressive degenerative disc disease is seen"

The MRI reveals you have DDD at other levels but this DDD is not pressing on any nerves.

My doctor has suggested surgery due to the fact I have exhausted all other options such as physio,tens machines,acupuncture etc,is this my only option left?

I can only speak for myself, of course - but I would suggest exploring every other avenue prior to surgery. Doctors in the U.S. do 6X as many spinal fusions as those in Europe. My first surgeon looked at my MRIs for 15 seconds and said, "You need a 3 level fusion." He didn't spend ANY time considering my symptoms, prior therapies, my discogram results or other treatments.

I've had 10 different steroid injections, with varying success. Add to that PT, TENS, chiro visits, etc. It wasn't until I had exhausted virtually every alternative that I agreed to surgery.

My personal view is to get SEVERAL opinions. Take the time to do so, it IS worth it. I had a much more minor surgery, a laminoforamenotomy, and it GREATLY helped. Not to say you should rule surgery out, but - even if you LIKE your current doctor, or trust his judgment, it cannot hurt to get another set of professional eyes on your lab work.

YOU are the one that has to live with the results. Best of luck to you.

Jim