Can someone please help me to understand my CT results?

[TrishaB777]

I had a injury to my back last year and I had a CT with dye injection. It was a very painful procedure I want a better understanding of the test results.

Xray results:
Findings: Minimal ventral extradural defects at L4-L5 and L5-S1; Possible bilateral S1 nerve root thickening.

CT results:
T12-L1: Normal intervertebal disc without significant spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis. Mild facet hypertrophy.
L1-2: Normal intervertebal disc without significant spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis. Mild facet hypertrophy.
L2-3: Normal intervertebal disc without significant spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis. Mild facet hypertrophy.
L3-4: Normal intervertebal disc without significant spinal canal or neural foramen stenosis. Mild facet hypertrophy.
L4-5: Mild broad-based, almost circumferential, disc bulge without significant spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis. Lateral recesses are patent. Moderate facet and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
L5-S1: Mild broad-based disc bulge, which is almost circumferential, without significant spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing. Lateral recesses are patent, Moderate facet and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
Impression: Mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, most severe in the inferior lumbar spine, without significant spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
Additional Details
I forgot to mention I have pain in my hips,buttocks and legs... Please help

[TrishaB777]

Thank you!!!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Well, you have two disc bulges between L4 and S1. These could be responsible for your symptoms, even though there is no apparent spinal root compression (compression of spinal nerves as they leave the spine). Also, you have widespread degenerative changes in small joints of vertebral column (facet hypertrophy). This can also put pressure on the nerves.
This pressure on the nerve can be diagnosed via an EMG/NCV.
Central and para-central disc protrusions that irritate a spinal nerve or have the potential to do so can be treated conservatively. This conservative treatment involves pain killers, anti-inflammatory medications, epidural injections, steroid injections, corsets and braces and physiotherapy. If all such treatments fail, then surgery may be required. Do discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.