Dear Friend,
Your MRI findings are suggestive of Disc protrusion, which is causing back aches/spasms, etc.
Between 2 vertebra there is a disc which acts like a shock absorber. Due to repetitive movements, wear and tear occurs resulting into the microsection breakup of the disc resulting in the disc protrusion.
SInce the space availability in the spine is low, it causes impingement over the nerve roots causing pain/spasm.
In your case scenario, since there is no stenosis we can follow the following protocol-
1) Take pain killers and muscle relaxants.Once the pain is reduced, can start up spine physiotherapy for 3-4 months.
2) Failure of physiotherapy can be adjusted with Epidural steroid injection.
3) If this also fails, then surgery would be last option.
So would suggest you to meet a good orthopaedician and plan it accordingly.
Feel free to discuss more,
Regards
Thank you for your reply Dr. Ghosh. I will suggest this route to my doctor. Can you tell me if the finding at T12-L1 "Central extruded herniated disc" is something I should be concerned with? Is it actually a "herniated" disc? Same with the Facet hypertrophy? Age related or a real concern? Thanks again!