BACKGROUND- I had this MRI done way back in 2022 because of mystery back pain that felt like I had a screwdriver rammed into the base of my spine. At first my GP brushed it off as 'mechanical back pain' But I didn't feel like that was right, so I kept pushing and eventually they sent me for a pelvic Xray because I mentioned I sometimes got pain in my hips. I found out I have arthritis in my hips but still no answer about my back so I pushed again and they huffed and puffed and agreed to refer me for an MRI. I had this back in March 2022 and I still don't really know exactly what is wrong with me because a nurse phoned me with the results, she told me everything it said and then went "Well I don't really know what any of that means" She sent my report to the neuro team but they responded and basically said they weren't interested unless my legs went numb. So I've just been left to deal with it by myself 🤷🏼♀️ I see I have Degenerative Disc disease but I don't know what the rest means! Any help is so gratefully received.
MRI report copied and pasted below
MRI Spine Lumbar/Sacral 19-03-2022:
Clinical Information: History of back pain which is non radiating with no improvement since started. Pelvic x-ray showed osteoarthritis of the hips with normal appearing lumbar spine. No preceding trauma, bowel or urinary incontinence or saddle. anaesthesia.
REPORT: Standard ULHT lumbar spine protocol carried out.
The curvature and alignment of the lumbar spine is normal.
The conus terminates at L1 and is normal.
The visualised spinal cord is normal.
All vertebral bodies are of normal height and shape with no focal bone marrow lesion identified.
There is very mild Modic type 2 fatty endplate changes L5/S1.
Pre and para vertebral soft tissues appear unremarkable.
Axial imaging has been carried out from L3-S1 with no disc bulges or neural compromise above this level.
L3/L4 - the disc is grossly normal with no neural compromise.
L4/L5 - there is a very small posterior central annular fissure with no disc bulge or neural compromise. There is mild bilateral facet joint arthropathy.
L5/S1 - the disc is dehydrated with a central protrusion which is stenosing the left lateral recess and impinging the left descending S1 nerve root, the right descending nerve root is contacted.
The central canal is narrowed. The exiting nerve roots are normal. There
is mild facet joint arthropathy.
Summary Degenerative disc disease L5/S1 with a central protrusion which is stenosing the left lateral recess and impinging the left descending S1 nerve root.
Multilevel mild facet joint arthropathy.
Neuro/spinal team advice recommended.