Question
My MRI report states "at L4-L5 there is mild disc bulging and facet arthopathy producing mild lateral recess and neural foraminal encroachment with borderline exiting L4 root contact but no gross root compression. At L5-S1 similar changes are noted without central stenosis. Neural foraminal encroachment is moderate on the right with mild right L5 root impingement." What exactly does that mean?

Answer

somatics logo Hi, Megan.

The report means that nerve roots existing at your lumbar spine are mildly trapped at their exits from vertebrae.  A foramen is an exit point of nerve from from spinal cord into the body cavity.

Disc bulges and arthropathy (facet joint cartilage breakdown) generally indicate tight spinal muscles are causing disc compression.

May I direct you to a couple of pages of mine and a video:

http://somatics.com/back_pain_Q&A.htm
http://lawrencegold.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/spinal-decompression-therapy-and-ba...
http://vimeo.com/7299718  (17-minute First Aid for Back Pain)

regard,
Lawrence Gold