MRI HELP

[lilartsmama]

HELP!! I need help reading my MRI. I am totally confused:

F
L2-3 Small annular disc bluge more prominent anterorly with mild effacement of ventral subarachnoid space, but without central canal or foraminal stenois
L3-4 Thee is a small right lateeral annular tear and somewhat broad-based right lateral and farmainal disc protusion extending into the neural foramen and approaching and possible contacting the exiting right L3 nerve root. There is no central or left neural formainal stenoisis, however, there is mile right neural foraminal narrowing
L4-5 there is a small broad-based right parasagital and lateral disc protusion extending into the neural  formen and aprroaching and possible contacting right L4 nerve root. Mild effacement of the subarachnoid space, but with frank central or significant left neural foraminal stenosis. there is mile right neural stenosis.
L5-S1, there is a small diffuse slightly more prominent in a a right parasagittal  distributin with lateral disc approaching and possible contacting the exiting right L5 nerve root in the foramen. Mild effacement of ventral subarachnoid space with mild right neural forminal stenosis but without central canal or left neural forminal stenosis.

[Little Tink]

I am a a42 year old woman and I have minimal thoracic spondylosis. Schmorls nodes at T7-8-10-11 disc narrowing at T5-6-T6-7-T7-8- minimum kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine T7-8 disc bulgeing slightly flattening the thecal sac T8-9 min. posterioir disc bulgeing  T1-2 right neural foramen narrowed due to facet arthropathy. 1 to 1.5mm diameter T2W hyperintense central band in the spinal cord beginning at T3 mid body level extending  inferiorly to T12 likely to be a syrinx. small areas of linear density in both lower lobe may represent subsegmental atelectasis. Minimal disc bulges at C3-4 C6-7 axial T2W images demonstrates large amount jof artifact in the spinal canal causing dark signal foci. no surgery is to be scheduled and I am on pain killers No one seems to be really worried about my spine just getting worse in 6 months from my last mri w/wo contrast. I am in pain daily i dont sleep well, I usually have headaches daily also, No doctor has told me yet that I need surgery, yet i am to stay on pain pills and staying in pain that is actuallly worsening as time goes by. any one have any suggestions.

[mike1105]

you may ant to consult with a neurologist-- he or she may perform tests to see if a specific nerve root is being compressed. stiffness may be due simply to muscles that are in spasm from lack of stretching, bad posture etc. you may benefit from trigger point release and stretching. it is possible the numbness is due to this also. many cases of sciatica can be improved if not healed by correcting bad posture and lengthening the hip- flexors and lower back muscles. 2 books: trigger point manual by Clair Davies and a book on posture by Paul D'Arezzo. hope this helps.

[lilartsmama]

Thanks Mike

The sad thing is I am only 30. But  I have numbnees down my right leg, hurts to stand sit or bend for long periods of time and severe stiffness

[mike1105]

you have disc buldges/protrusions/stenosis--all common as we age. (these are all terms you can look up on the internet.). they may or may not be causing symptoms. what are your symptoms?