Back Pain Forum - Mri of the Lumbar Spine

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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 of the Lumbar Spine

asked by: jkimm8 on July 17th, 2007

New User

Hey everyone. I am a 17 year old male who has been getting a sharp pain on the right side of my lower back, buttocks, and lower. I got an MRI and my family has no idea what to do. Please help translate!

Findings: The signal intensity of the bone marrow is unremarkable. No compression deformities, subluxations or paraspinal masses are seen. The conus medullaris is within normal limits.

The T12-L1, L2-3, L3-4 all show no disc herniations, stenosis or foraminal narrowing.
The L1-2 level shows a mild degenerated disc bulge without stenosis.
The L4-5 level shows a mild disc bulge without stenosis.
The L5-S1 level shows a right paracentral disc herniation with mild thecal sac compression and mass effect on the right S1 nerve root

Impression: Disc bulges at L1-2 and L4-5 levels without stenosis.
Right paracentral disc herniation at the L5-S1 level with mild thecal sac compression and mass effect on the right S1 nerve root

All this info just sort of scares me. Is this bad enough for me to get surgery? Or do I have to stretch it out? The only time I don't feel any pain is if I lay down on my back. Other than that, the pain is 24/7. ANY help would be appreciated.

Replies(5)

aszalajka

replied on July 20th, 2007

Experienced User

you need to take your MRI results back to the Doctor that ordered it and have them explain it to you in NON medical terms. have u followed up with the doctor at all?????

jkimm8

replied on July 20th, 2007

New User

yeah i did do that. The doctor immediately said I needed surgery for it but my parents doubted it. So we went to another one and he said it's not needed. I was just asking if anyone here knew exactly what the problem is? I mean, i'm pretty sure its a herniated disc but the way i see it here makes it seem like it could be something more.

sillyakchick

replied on July 24th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

You indeed have a disc herniation at L5 S1 (the lowest lumbar vertebrae). It is putting pressure on the right nerve root where it exits the spinal cord because some of the disc material is pushing on it. Surgery could help with this, but as a young person, IMO I would suggest conservative treatments. These include physical therapy, injections, acupuncture, exercise program. If these trreatments fail, then you could proceed with surgery. Ask your doc this question: "What conservative methods could we try prior to surgery?" That will hopefully get the conversation moving toward other options. I hope this helps.

repass1973

replied on April 13th, 2009

New User

ouch

ouch!i know how bad the pain is.on oct 30 2008 without any warning my world turned upside down,after having a mri,i had no other choice but surgery to fix the massive herniation of L5S1.i had the surgery on jan8 2009 and was expecting a full recoverey.the numbness was gone and pain wasnt as badnuntil 6 weeks post op i bent over and right away i knew it didnt feel right.now its beenclose 2 six months and have more pain than ever,the same disk is bulging with particles affecting that siatic nerve causing cronic pain.all i can do is wait and hope it will get better. im 35 had no back problems and overnite basically became disabled,this is nothing to mess with.best of luck to u

Lliam

replied on May 17th, 2009

New User

disc pain

It sounds like your symptoms may be a result of that paracentral disc lesion. Since this is an old post , I would bet that your symptoms are now reduced or gone regardless of whether or not you opted for surgery. Are your symptoms worse with forward bending and reduced with leaning backwards. If so, you may want to google the term:
Lumbar extension exercises

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