hi 98HypeArrr sorry to hear you are in so much pain.


1. Thoracolumbar Levoscoliosis

Thoracolumbar refers to the parts of the spine of the lower back (Lumbar) and the chest (thorax). Levoscoliosisis is a side ways curve to the spine where the convexity is on the left side.


Facet Arthropathy

This is arthritis of the facet joints these are a pair of small joints between each vertebra one on each side of the vertebra at the rear they allow the vertebra to move in the correct way and restrict excessive motion.


3. T12-L1 Disc Narrowing

This is the sixth disk up from the bottom of your spine its narrow.


4. Anterior Wedging of T12

This a compression fracture of the front of the vertebra such that the vertebra is wedge shaped, narrow towards the front.


As for what causes them its possible that some of your condition are interrelated meaning one caused the other, scoliosis can be caused by unequal leg lengths, abnormal foot function, neurological impairments, or trauma. Facet Arthropathy can be caused by mechanical dysfunction of the spine such as caused by scoliosis, that's yet to be proven, but some think its very likely, trauma or some kind, or inflammation. Disc Narrowing well many things can cause this, old age, arthritis, mechanical dysfunction. Anterior Wedging, this,is usually caused by trauma the most common site for this type of fracture is at the level of your fracture.

I think its possible that anyone of these conditions could be causing you pain, which one, and why is difficult to say. the pain you feel when you bend down would be probably be common for someone with an anterior wedge compression fracture.

Good luck 98HypeArrr

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, and with such detail. Everything you said makes total sense. I have been in a few bad accidents and have taken some pretty nasty falls. I am only 27, but my diet is horrible (little - no calcium.) I am 5' tall and 107 pounds, so I fall into the category of being prone to osteoporosis, so I wouldn't doubt at all that any one of those accidents or falls could have caused the compression fracture. Thank you again.

-C

your welcome 98HypeArrr

sounds like you might want to think about getting a second opinion from another spine specialist.

A good spine specialist should be spending time with his/her patient, going over the MRI and any other test results with the patient, explaining what everything means and then suggesting options for treatment.
He/she should not be a doctor with few words, speed through what it means and leave a patient without being sure that the patient understands what was said.
A nurse should not have to right down the words the doctor used so the patient can look them up to understand what the doctor said, because it wasn't explained. having those words to look up for further research on line is fine, but not for the basic explanation.

I personally would not tolerate that kind of treatment from any kind of doctor and I wouldn't care if he/she was the best in the world.
If the can't be bothered to take the time to explain everything to me in detail, answer any and all of my questions, use 3 dimensional modesl and drawings to explain things to me, then that doctor is history and I will find another one that will do all of those things.

Remember that in the end, the doctor works for you, you by way of your insurance pays his salary and if he isn't doing the "work" correctly, i.e. treating with the respect that any patient deserves, and communicates with your properly, then he/she should be "fired" and you find another doctor.

I've had my share of those kind of doctors that you saw in my life, including spinal surgeons for second opinions etc. They where promptly fired and given the reason why.

My spinal surgeon is exactly as I described, and treats all of his patients they way they should be treated.

Good luck, and you should get another doctor to see.

Fran

Just as recent as 3 days ago I got the results of my Lower Lumbar M.R.I. results, or should I say lack of results. I am not satisfied because I too got no "laymen" term answers as to my results. Mine consist of L1,L2,L3,L4 and L5-S1. With facet arthropathy. I have no idea what all of this means or how any of this mumbo jumbo was caused. I have no history of accidents ect.... Any help would be appreciated also.

Lisa Qualey

To grammylisa these are the five bottom vertebra in your spine. Facet arthropathy means you have arhtritis in your facet joints. The facet joints are a pair of small joints at the rear of each vertebra that allow movement between the vertebra, and guide the motion in the right direction.

I just wanted to thank you all for your replies. You have all been so helpful in my understanding of my diagnoses. It's pretty sad that I can get better, kinder, and easier to understand information from strangers on the internet than I was able to get from my doctor; who needless to say, I do not see anymore. I am now getting a combination of pain medicine, antiinflammatories, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and massage therapy. I almost feel 100% again. Thank you all and good health and happies to all! -C

Glad to hear that you are doing better, have a new doctor and treatment is working for you.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Fran