MRI and back pain

[gibbydot]

My MRI from Sep. 07 says at L3-4 broad base disc buldge,with a small central tear,early facet arthropathy and ligament thickening. L4-5 broad based disc buldge early posterior arthropathy at L5-S1 broad based disc buldge bilateral facet arthropathy narrowing of the bilateral neural foramen secondary to facet arthropathy, posterior osteophytosis and disc buldge.Active modic-type endplate degenerative changes. Dr. says my results weren't bad and that I can try nerve blocks which I did and it helped for a limited time. When I cough i scream in pain,as soon as I lay in bed and then cough the pain shoots down both legs and the back pain is unbelievable.Rolling over is also very painful. my only daytime relief is when i am active, but then I can only be active for so long because i know the nighttime pain will be worse. Over the years I have done therapy, traction,and water therapy. only gave limited relief. What are my options now? I am a 48 yr old female.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for posting.
Your symptoms seem to be quite severe and you have tried most of the conservative measures for back pain. You can discuss surgical options with your doctor now. There are many surgical options for disc prolapse and foramenal narrowing like Microdiscectomy, laminectomy, lumbar fusion, and artificial disc replacement.
Let us know if you need more information.

[selmaS]

Was ur MRI of ur lombar spine only?.....did they check ur thoracic or cervical spine?
....did they do a brain MRI?....