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8 replies [Last post]
March 10, 2010 - 9:38am
inlouisiana70535
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annual bulge with annular tear at L5-S1

This is the result of my MRI. Can anyone tell me what this means in lay terms?

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March 10, 2010 - 3:09pm
#1
charry
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Hi Louisiana and Welcome

I had a similar experience with a herniated disc and annular tear at L5-S1. Are you experiencing back pain and leg sciatica? Hopefully your Dr. has referred you to an Ortho or Neuro Dr. for a consult. Take care. Charry

_____________

Any answers I have is not medical advice only a Doctor can help you with that. Just sharing my personal experience as a fellow Spine Health member only. Mild DDD of complete lumbar area with recent healing of L5-S1 HD and annular tear.Leg &foot weakness nerve compression L4-L5.Mod. disc changes C5-C7 nerve impingement sore elbow and numb hand. Sept. 2011 MRI L4-L5 disc bulge and L5 facet joint and narrowing. Meds-Oxycontin 80mg,Cymbalta,Lyrica, Flexeril,Naproxen,Serax. Platinum Infrared heating pad. ER and Oncology trained and Cardiology RN on Disability. Keep the faith.

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March 12, 2010 - 2:40pm
#2
inlouisiana70535
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Thanks, Charry!

Thanks, Charry!

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March 11, 2010 - 8:09pm
#3
DNice
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hi

Hi, I too had a similar result but unfortunately you need to take the radiology results to a NeuroSurgeon or OrthoSpine doctor. Did they recommend anyone? If not, you need your primary care to recommend someone.

What symptoms led you to get the MRI?
Leg pain? Back pain? Numbness?

Is ibuprofin or tylenol helping?

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March 12, 2010 - 2:48pm
#4
inlouisiana70535
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I have seen 2 different

I have seen 2 different doctors with 2 different opinions. One (family doctor) said that it was nothing bad and the other (a specialist) said that it was a rupture and sent me to physical therapy and began epidural injections. But due to losing medical insurance, he won't see me anymore. So I am left high and dry and the pain is excruciating and goes down into my legs. It hurts to sit, to walk, to get comfortable in bed - everything! I bought a temperpedic bed, starting losing weight and nothing seems to help. And with 2 different opinions of the same MRI, I am beginning to doubt what is wrong. No, tylenol and ibuprofen or any other OTC meds do not work. BTW, all of this with no known injury.

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March 12, 2010 - 9:26am
#5
Lala329
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Just to add...

The others are correct in that you have hopefully been referred to an orthopedist or neurosurgeon to discuss treatment.

To understand the diagnosis in layman's terms you need a little disc anatomy 101. Discs contain a gel like substance in the middle (nucleus pulposus) surrounded by a wall (the annulus). Your MRI indicates that the wall of the disc has torn, and where it is torn the gel is pushing through making the wall of the disc bulge out. This bulging can put pressure on nerves causing pain and symptoms down into the legs. If you do a google images search for herniated disc you should be able to fine some pretty good pictures illustrating this to help you understand what is going on. Understanding the basic anatomy of a disc should help you when you follow-up with the doctor to come up with a treatment plan.

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March 12, 2010 - 3:20pm
#6
charry
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Hi Louisiana

Hope you can find a free health clinic or University teaching hospital. This link http://www.spine-health.com/forum/health-insurance-issues/no-health-insu...
Or contact Congressman in your area. Hopefully the disc could heal on it's own but you need to be under a Drs care. Best wishes.

_____________

Any answers I have is not medical advice only a Doctor can help you with that. Just sharing my personal experience as a fellow Spine Health member only. Mild DDD of complete lumbar area with recent healing of L5-S1 HD and annular tear.Leg &foot weakness nerve compression L4-L5.Mod. disc changes C5-C7 nerve impingement sore elbow and numb hand. Sept. 2011 MRI L4-L5 disc bulge and L5 facet joint and narrowing. Meds-Oxycontin 80mg,Cymbalta,Lyrica, Flexeril,Naproxen,Serax. Platinum Infrared heating pad. ER and Oncology trained and Cardiology RN on Disability. Keep the faith.

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March 12, 2010 - 5:00pm
#7
DNice
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I would

I would leverage the link Chary provided.
You don't need to have a specific injury to herniate a disc.

Unfortunately from the time we are born, gravity starts working its wonder on our backs. Some people are luckier than others, genetically speaking.

I stretched funny in bed and felt a pop that was beyond painful. I had been having sciatic issues down my leg for a few days before but the stretch did it.

I would try to get under the care of a free clinic. I would try icing, walking on flat surfaces, and follow rules of typical lower back sufferer...try not to bend, twist, or lift (any more than a gallon or 5lbs) and nothing over your head. If you can avoid sitting for long periods that might also help.

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March 12, 2010 - 5:14pm
#8
immyali
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Hi there

There's lots of information here on Spine Health, try these links:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease/lumbar-...

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/whats-a-herniated-...

http://www.spine-health.com/video/lumbar-herniated-disc-video

http://www.spine-health.com/information/annular-tear

I have the same issue and had a fusion last August. Feel free to PM me and ask questions, if I can't answer something, there are plenty others here who can.
Good luck
Kylie

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