MRI results - help to understand. Bulging discs/hypertrophy management
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi, I'm in a complete muddle and wonder if you can help?
I've been having back and leg pain since the end of April. After seeing 4 GP's and a prescribing nurse, I had an MRI scan. Meanwhile I have been on and off work (learning support - secondary school). I have also been to an NHS physio who discovered my sacroiliac joint was out of place and effecting my lower back, she put it back into place. After coming out of place a few times, it is now where it should be and the leg pain is much reduced, so that's great.
Anyway, I got a phone call from my GP with the MRI results, saying I have a bad back (!) and to take Naproxen (I can't because of the anti-depressants I take), so he said to just take the Cocodamol he had prescribed for me previously.
MRI results:
MRI:Spine Lumbar
Normal alignment of the lumbar spine. From L3 to S1, there are mild degenerative changes with bulging of the discs together with mild facet joint hypertrophy with mild facet joint effusion. The conus medullaris and the cauda equina are normal,. A haemangioma is noted in the L3 vertebral body. No nerve root involvement is seen. No foraminal or spinal canal stenosis. No disc hernis. No evidence of nerve root compromise at the other imaged levels.
Conclusion
Mild degenerative changes are not resulting in nerve root impingement. No disc hernia compressing a nerve root. Mild facet joint effusion from L3 to S1 bilaterally.
The summer came and went (due to physios annual leave I didn't see her all summer) last Tuesday I saw my physio - the first time since I received the results, she said there was nothing she could do about it, but put me on an Advanced back course (6 exercise classes) to strengthen core muscles to help support it. I have to wear supportive shoes with air cushioned soles and suggested the use of a support belt (I bought a Serola belt).
From what I understood (I did start to panic a bit, so didn't absorb all the information she gave me) my lower back is not good. They can't operate on the bulging discs because of the number of them effected. The facet joints have grown a bit of extra bone to help stabilise it (too much heavy lifting in my early 20's injured my back and had to cease the work I was doing - nothing was ever really diagnosed back then, an injection in my lower back by the GP and a course of physio)
My back had improved over the summer holidays, but has got painful again on my return to work (I do a fair bit of walking, standing, sitting and bending over when assisting students sitting at desks) I am now off work again and cannot continue like this.
I'd like help to understand, please, my MRI results and what they mean for the future. Can anything else be done? Is it likely to get worse? How do I manage myself at work as I'm in a different classroom each hour - which positions are best for my back and which should be avoided.
Sorry about the long thread - my head is a shed.
1 like, 16 replies
valerie94214 jane16135
Posted
Unfortunately, I am no expert in interpreting your MRI results, but totally understand your need for this information. I have only had X-rays but they have never been explained to me. In fact, I have never actually seen the X-rays only someone's report on them. I too need to know how to manage my back: whether it will get worse and so on. I have had Cortisone injections, but they haven't worked. All I ever get it now is to be told to exercise my back and take pain relief tablets. I simply cannot believe that in this day and age, with all the modern technology, so many people are allowed to simply suffer on their own like this. I hope you get the advice you need. I will watch for any posts you may get. Good luck,
jane16135 valerie94214
Posted
It is so frustrating. I now feel like I need to get as much information before I return to the GP, so I can almost lead the conversation.
Good luck with your back too Valerie.
spinworm jane16135
Posted
Those reports can be frightening, so much technical stuff. I have “moderate degenerative changes” in my lower back and neck and I think the good news you can take from this no nerve root impingement, there is no compression of the nerves radiating from the spinal cord. The facet joints are the bone spurs that help stabilise the spinal column and you have some form (injury/age) damage.
The SI may still be a cause of pain if that hasn’t been “signed off”. There is a wealth of information out there on treatment and causes; if inflammation cannot be treated with Naproxen then ice packs may help.
I’m guessing that the GP will read the results as just part of the ageing process. Of course, that doesn’t really help us; it doesn’t make the pain away! Posture may help reduce the pain, sitting on one of those big balls, getting the physio to check out your gait when walking etc.
Hope it helps.
jane16135 spinworm
Posted
Thanks for your comments. I was having a rant/moan the other day and should have commented on my luck that there is no nerve impingement or compression, for this, I am glad.
I managed to have a good chat on the phone with the physio and she has booked me in to see her this afternoon as I'm off work again. I have also been to see my GP (the fifth one!) this morning and he is trying me on Diazepam for a few days as he says my whole back seems very knotted. He has prescribed me some less strong Co-codamol too (as the full strength ones effected my stomach) and signed me off work for a week while I'm on the Diazepam, for me then to return to work on a phased return. He commended me on all the proactive things I'm doing to aid my recovery and make myself as comfortable (!) as possible (credit too needs to go to my physio for the sound advice). I'm so keen to get back to work though, the last few months I've had too many false starts.
Changing position at a maximum of every 20 minutes has helped and walking with sturdy, supportive shoes has also helped, so I will continue to do this. My physio sees no reason why I can't improve, but I will need to exercise every day to maintain maximum core strength (first I need to build that up!)
max21068 jane16135
Posted
Sorry to hear about your back problems. I'm not a proffesional on the subject, but from personal experience ( lower back and leg pain(sciatic like pain) with no obvious structural cause) I may have a lead on the problem. In my case I diagnosed a systemic fungal/yeast infection which was causing many problems ( have a look at my previous discussion Mycotic Artiritis) back pain and gradual damage to the spine and joints, depression, food intolerance, especially wheat and sugar.
It may help to relieve the symptoms and give you some indication as to the problem by cutting out all sugars(including fruit) and wheat products from your diet for a period of time and add coconut (perhaps 100g per day, then less so) to your remaining diet (including lots of green veg esp spinach and kale and some lemon juice). If this helps, then it may be good to discuss further with your gp, though, in my experience, there doesn't seem to be an official understanding or treatment of the problem.
Best of luck.
jane16135 max21068
Posted
Thank you.
max21068 jane16135
Posted
I had some blood test done 2 weeks ago and mine came up as having low vitamin D levels also. Could be a meaningful.
Also, I read recently that fungal infections can be aquired through birds. Possibly by breathing dust. Maybe another lead to look into.
Regards
jane16135 max21068
Posted
Thanks
graham6214 jane16135
Posted
jane16135 graham6214
Posted
Thanks for your post. I suppose I'm just starting to get support/answers off professionals now. I feel I maybe taking a step in the right direction the last 2-3 days as I'm starting to get constructive support. I feel a bit more empowered. The problem is that because it's such a 'global' area, my physio says they wouldn't be able to operate on the discs.
Take care
Jane
Rob777 jane16135
Posted
jane16135 Rob777
Posted
Sorry my MRI was great in comparison to yours, but I'm in pain nevertheless and have been keen to be proactive, but it's taken the medical profession 4+ months to be able to get any answers to my simple problem. I have sympathy to those - like yourself - who have complex issues.
How did your consultation with the surgeon go?
It has taken yet another appointment with the GP this morning and a phone conversation with the physio to get much more constructive support. I have a physio appointment this afternoon to get me started on strengthening my core (the back classes don't start for another 3 weeks). I was complimented on the positive approach I was taking and following the advice I have so far been given. I have however, been struggling to get the right support to enable me to continue to work. It's all very well saying I can do something about it, but finding the correct strategies has been a frustrating long haul.
It's been frustrating as I want to go to work, work have been asking how they can facilitate this, but I have not had the information and answers to give them - as I say though, I feel like I have made in roads the last few days. The physio said she had been treating my pelvis previously, but will now see me as a new case and concentrate on my back!
Happy days and all that
Jane
Rob777 jane16135
Posted
richard89308 jane16135
Posted
Richard
jane16135 richard89308
Posted
Thank you for that suggestion. I shall research Alexander Technique. Many thanks
Jane