My MRI states the following : L2-3: mild facet joint disease. Moderate broad-based disc bulge. Superimposed mild dis protrusion in left paracentral region. The disc bulge is more than before and disc protrusion is new.Left neural foramen is moderately stenotic; the right is patent. The left neural foraminal stenosis is new since prior MRI.
L3-4: Mild to moderate facet joint disease.Mild broad- based disc bulge. Central canal and neuralforamina are patent.
L4-5 moderate to severe facet joint disease. Moderate degenerative disc disease. mild to moderate broad based posterior disc osteophyte complex. superimposed central annular disc tear with mild disc protrusion versus high signal in the posterior superior endplate of L4. As the apperance is stable, it is thought to most likely represent an annular disc tear. The finding is stable when compared to the patient's previous exam. Central canal is patent. There is mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. There is mild impression on the bilateral descending L5 nerve roots in the lateral recesses.
L5-S1: Moderate facet joint disease. there is a mild broad-based posterior disc bulge. Left neural foraminal and left paracentral annular disc tears are present with minimal associated disc bulge. the apppearance at this level is stable. Central canal is patent. the left neural foramen is moderately stenotic. The right is patent.
My doctor is sending me to a neurosurgeon. I have been to 3 other neurosurgeons in the past several years. All other 3 surgeons have just mentioned a back fusion. I want to know if there is any other options that I may have besides the back fusion because that scares me to death. Please help me!!!!!!