Its very hard to say what is considered on the results bad enough to where dr might feel the need for surgery,

Sounds like you have mild bulge in the l4l5 but could mean nothing for many have that and never feel pain if its not severe and not touching the nerve,

You might have some ligament damage from the crash and hopefuly its nothing serious that cant be resolved with pt and injections posibly,

Only dr will be able to tell you once he sees the films what he thinks,

When you seeing the dr about the findings?

I was going to suggest you discuss with your doctor.
I've learned that tests results only tell a portion of the 'story'. The other part is your symptoms and a physical assessment the specialist usually does.

Hopefully you are seeing an Orthopedic Spine Doctor or Neurosurgeon who both specialize in the spine and related issues.

If not, I'd suggest that after you discuss with the doctor that ordered the test, that you ask for a referal.

The numbness would be a concern. Have you had an MRI?

Also, maybe take a look at a dermatome map which will help you understand which levels might be causing your issues. The map is more just helpful at understanding things a bit from which nerves are serviced from which levels of the spine.

I hope you get some answers.

The L4,5 refers to the vertebrae lumbar 4 and 5. The disc is the cartillage between them. It is not unusual for the disc to bulge, or move out of this space. It is only bad if the bulging disc pushes on the surrounding nerves. The "facet" is the joint between the vertebrae that allows the spine to flex and extend. This joint like others can develope arthritis which is what you have. If the arthritis is bad enough the joint narrows and can push on the nerve that comes out through the joint. Your MRI does not show the disc or the facet joint pinching the nerves. Learn more from experts at EDIT Good luck!

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Post Edited by Authority Member Liz

i have issues with people writing in and using doctor speak in their posts. first of all, most of us are not doctors and we have no idea what most of this means. second of all, you need to talk to your doctor and have him explain in regular english what it means. if you put i have a disintegration of the right labral mini insection of the clavicle and a post dudeduem of the right posterior of the radial cement, most of will scratch our heads and go huh? i have a good science background and lots of mri's and cat scans and i still have no idea what the dr speak means as well as the rest of us. also according to the rules, we are not to offer any medical advice. my only advice as i mentioned before is ask your doctor and have him explain it and if possible use a diagram to get his point acorss. i would make an appointment asap with your doctor who gave you the mri. your doctor is the only one qualified to read your mri and explain what it means. some of us might give the wrong reading or advice to you.
good luck
jon