Any advice for someone with an annular tear and stenosis?

Hello all, I am a 33 year old male and I am 235lbs currently. I recently had another appointment with my spine doctor to get a better understanding of what is causing my sciatica that radiated down my right leg. The write up is as follows: "Lumbar MRI without contrast demonstrates spondylosis with grade 1 anterolisthesis of the L5/S1 contributing to severe right and moderate left foraminal stenosis. T2 hyperintense signal is noted in the posterior annulus consistent with annular fissure". This is causing me a lot of pain up and down my right leg.

I was told they are not sure if it is degenerative or acute. I had mild sciatica in my right leg a couple years ago but it went away and it wasn't until I started working out to lose weight (weighted squats, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, etc.) that I started getting sharp pain in my calf and ankle. All my other discs look fine so I am hoping the annular tear is acute and not degenerative.

Does anyone have any advice, exercises, stretches, or thoughts as to how to address this diagnosis? What steps can I take to reduce pain and regain a better quality of life? I recently ordered Back Mechanic and am going to read it but I am interested to hear if anyone here has had a similar diagnosis or has insight on said diagnosis. Thanks!!

0 likes, 0 replies