I had an l4-l5 microdiscectomy in 1999. After about 9 months I started experiencing pain and radiation down my leg. This has gone on for a long time. I have tried conservative treatments and my doctor gives me pain meds, anti inflammatory meds, and muscle relaxants. I fell in dec 04 on my lower back hard. My pain got worse much much worse. A previous ct scan in early 04cshowed that I had degenerative disease with 30 % height loss at l-4 l-5 and less at l-5 s-1. It also showed much scaring around the s-1 never root. I did the conservative route again, spinal injection via ct scan and pt but no relief. About 2 months ago I started having severe pain on my right side and was very tender to touch at l-5 s-1. My left side still is quite painful and my right side is painful and hurts down into my buttocks and sometime my thigh. A recent mri showed marrow signal intensity heterogeneous throughout. L-4 and l-5 50% height loss and desiccation with broad based disc bulging. L-5 and s01 shows 50% height loss and desiccation with broad based bulging and type ii endplate change. It also shows an intensity zone in theposterior annulus fibrosus compatible with radial tear. I am in a lot of pain and I don't know what any of this means. About 5 days ago my neck starting hurting. I can feel a hard lump at about the c-1 c-2 level and swelling to the on both sides. It is painful to touch. My mri was forwarded to a neurosurgeon but no one has gotten back with me. I just take my pills and try to get through each day. By the end of the work day I can barely make it home to lay down.
Does anyone know what these symptoms and results mean and what could help me. Can't go on like this. Thanks