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What can you tell me about my mri picture

Spine Health | Last Active: Sep 13 11:29am | Replies (15)

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@justbec2004
Here is what I see in your MRI:

You have a congenital deformity of your S1 vertebrae. Normally, it is solid/stable in your sacrum but yours is more like a lumbar vertebrae that moves. That can be behind a lot of your pain. It presses on and irritates nerves.

At L5-S1, moderate disc height loss, your vertebrae may not be well supported which creates less space for your L5 nerves, especially on the right side. You also have bone overgrowth/arthritis and degeneration in your facet joints which may contribute to pain when your bones rub together and get irritated/inflamed. The loss of disc height and broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex (4 mm AP) is a bony overgrowth due to excess movement of L5 and S1. This overgrowth extends into both sides of the vertebrae where nerve roots exit and can be irritating these nerves. See picture I attached that shows L5 nerves can cause pain into feet and these are the one to focus on.

Did you say you had spine surgery before? If so, what levels and what was done. If not, it seems like there should be options explored on fusion of L5-S1-S2, removal of the bony overgrowth/osteophyte complex between L5-S1, possible removal of facet joints (facetectomy), stabilization of spine, etc. spinal injections may only give temporary pain relief if injected in the right place. Physical therapy/stretching/strengthening, weight loss, improving posture, not lifting heavy things or doing high impact activities, etc. may help.

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Replies to "@justbec2004 Here is what I see in your MRI: You have a congenital deformity of your..."

Thank you. I have never had spinal surgery. I have been in pt since April and he said last month he couldn't help me anymore. The 1st ortho dr I seen said fusion also but the 2nd one said I don't think the pain in right side is coming from your back. He wants me to see a neurologist. Pain management dr has tried everything and nothing helps. I just want it fixed.