Question
Hi J. Shawn,
Would you please let me know and advice about my MRI result, just a week ago:

Multiplanar, multi-sequence imaging was obtained the lumbar spine without contrast.
L1-2: No significant disc desease.
L2-3: No significant disc desease.

L3-4: Minimal broad-based disc bulging asymmetric to the left. No central canal stenosis. No significal neural foraminal stenosis. Mild facet disease.
L4-5: Mild broad-based disc bulging present. Bulging enters into the inferior apects of both neural foramen. No central canal stenosis. Very mild narrowing of both neural foramen. Mild Facet disease.
L5-S1: Mild broad-based disc bulging and disc space narrowing. superimposed right paracentral disc protrusion. No central canal stenosis. Narrowing of the right lateral recess. Both neural foramen are narrowed secondary to bulging disc and facet disease.

Thank you,
Ruben Breez  

Answer
Dear Ruben,

The best news here is that you do not have an central canal stenosis.  This means that the spinal cord itself is moving freely withing the spinal canal and nothing is pushing into it.

Now more good news, the disc bulging that you do have is mild in nature and there is only mild degeneration to the facets...which are the joints located in the spine.

Now for the bad news...you do have some encroachment or narrowing of the holes in the vertebra where the nerve roots exit from the spinal cord. This is because the bulging disc material is pushing into those holes and this reduces the amount of room for the nerve root and causes localized inflammation of the nerve root.  This can easily result in pain in the low back as well as pain that radiates down the leg.

Bottom line:  non surgical findings, but you need to get some care to reduce the pressure on the nerves while increasing function so that you can reduce any pain experience and decreases the likelihood of continued degeneration. For more details check out the links below:

http://suncoasthealthcare.net/chiropracticinformation/discherniation.html
http://suncoasthealthcare.net/chiropracticinformation/spinalanatomy-overview.htm...
http://suncoasthealthcare.net/chiropracticinformation/spinalanatomy-detail.html

I would recommend that you try chiropractic care...we see cases like this in our offices every week, and have a good track record in treating them.  There are various options withing chiropractic to remedy the situation because all individuals will respond somewhat differently to care.  However, treatment will be comprised of a combination of the following:  spinal adjustments, cox flexion-distraction, decompression, posture pump, and stability exercises.

I would recommend that you research your local chiropractors via the web and see what their training and qualifications are.  I would also recommend that you seek out care from a doctor who does incorporate active rehab programs for spinal stability.  Their respective websites should give you a good idea of how their clinic works...then call 3 to schedule a quick consultation with the doctor and determine which one to pick.

Good Luck Ruben.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net