Help with Mri reading of Lumbar Please

[Jovonda]

L3-4 There is minimal disc bulge and facet osteoarthapathy without significant narrowing of the central canal nor neural formen.

L4-5 There is minimal disc bulge and facet osteoarthapathy without significant narrowing of the central canal stenosis and minimal bilateral neural forminal stenosis.

L5-S1 A disc bulge eccentric to the right is present without significant central canal stenosis and with minimal bilateral neural forminal stenosis


what does this mean? To the best of you guys/gals knowledge? I know only my doctor can say for sure..but your input would be greatly appreciated..thanks

[Jovonda]

Thanks for your input.. I  seen the doctor today he pretty much said the same thing; however, he said it doesn't explain the pain.. The Pain in the buttocks and down the leg.. Sometimes I even have a weak feeling in my calves. He says that they are not big enough to cause pain.. and pretty much same goes for the cervical mri i posted.. He said to finish out this week of theraphy which will be 12 visits.. Then if nothing has changed he would fax my mri report to a specialist but he doesn't think that one will even want to make an appoinment and look at the mri's themself or anything. So if this being the case what else could be causing the problems? Just where ya know I was lifting heavy objects at work when I got agonizing pain in lower and mid-upper back .. worked through it for 2 days rested the weekend then went to dr on monday.. complaining of the pain he asked about my neck i stated that it felt like the pain in the upper-mid back was shooting up my neck and he did rom on neck and x ray that showed no curvuture curve and has not payed any attention the the agonizing pain in mid-upper back.. he says it could be a problem there but thinks its the neck causing that pain..so i don't know i am lost and confused!! any input is Great.. THANKS

[kittyluv1]

Your MRI report indicates some disc degeneration as noted by disc bulges at all three levels.  The bulges themselves are small and do not appear to be causing any narrowing of the central canal (through which the spinal cord travels) or the neural foramen (through which the exiting spinal nerves travel)  The nerves are apparently not significantly affected by these changes.
There is evidence of facet changes.  The facets are the joints which hold the vertebrae together and can develop degenerative changes which can produce pain with movement. The facet changes have not produced significant narrowing.
It would be advisable to discuss the findings with your treating physician and obtain treatment recommendations which could include anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.  
These degenerative changes are a normal process of the wear and tear on our spines as we age.  Physical therapy can also provide instructions on an active back care program to maintain your movement and function and reduce the risk of further injury with proper body mechanics.