I am a 29 year old male that has had 2 spinal surgeries. I first had a spinal fusion L5-S1, with 2 short rods and 4 screws. 7 months later (June 2, 2008) I had another fusion, this time from T3-L2, resulting in 2 long rods and 24 screws. This was 10 months ago and I still have pain in my back radiating to the front. The surgeon ordered a CT scan for possible nerve root encroachment (the MRI I had was unreadable due to all the metal in my back.) The results of the CT are as follows: Schmorl's nodes noted at several lower thoracic lumbar vertebra. At T3, T4, T7, T8, T9, and L1 the left pedicle screw projects slightly lateral to the margin of the left pedicle. At T11, the right pedicle projects medial to the right pedicle across the lateral aspect of the central canal.
My questions are: What does this mean in non-medical terms? What physical symptoms can be attributed to these findings? What is the usual course of action following these findings/are these things that can be resolve