Lumbar MRI Results Question

It looks like you need to get the herniated disc taken care of along with your other problems. Everything may be related.
My back is the problem as I injured it as a teen. Now my back hurts and my calves hurt so that I can only walk about half, then the pain sets in, it's getting progressively worse,but they tell me they can't do anything about it. Now I wait another year for another MRI and still waiting for the epidural.

Thank you for replying.

Hope everything gets better for the both of us.

Hey, your spine and mine could be related! I don't know if my results were at the same junctions, but I have had multiple bulging and herniated discs. I have had a couple of nerve protrusions, also. I have had back problems since I was 18. I have never had any surgery, but I have had two ablations. The first one was exceptionally successful, the second, not so much. I have several friends who had multiple back surgeries and have ended not being able to stand up straight, with other problems. My mother had back surgery that was 100% successful, but I just wanted to stay away from it. I have just learned to live with it. Some days it is bad, other days not so bad.

@pkh3381 Thank you so much for your reply.

I have to admit that my legs are in so much pain, my hamstrings, and my tibialis that if a Dr. tells me today let's do a surgery i will jump on it real quick. I'm not able to drive and it is painful to try to move around and do things, I do take walks but very slowly and the pain is there and it feels like it wants to cramp up.

Thanks again

I do understand.
P

I had similar issues. I am not a health professional but my MRI sounded a lot like yours. Epidurals worked for about 3 years. I was terrified of surgery. Finally the pain was too debilitating and I gave into surgery at Mayo in 2020. I am 100% after the surgery. My suggestion is interview as many surgeons as necessary to find the most competent and experienced surgeon you can find. Ask the physical therapists who rehab back surgeries. They know who has good outcomes. I wish you the best with this journey.

@hvannort Thank so much for your reply, those leg pains on my hamstring and tibialis are really tough, I just hope I can get better to be able to drive.

Dear Soccer1477 - So sorry you're experiencing the leg and hamstring pain. I recall it well! I struggled to sit in the driver's seat for extended (sometimes even short) drives. My legs were going numb several times a day and randomly. I was slipping down an increasingly slippery slope. I haven't compared MRI's with yours - but I had lower lumbar decompression and fusion almost five months ago and all that leg discomfort is totally gone. I'm still recovering from the surgery (L2-5) but the original catalyst for surgery has been rectified. As "hvannort" suggests: Get a diagnosis from a great medical facility with the latest equipment. Discuss strategy with the best neurosurgeon you can find. Set a plan and execute. I am also a Mayo "graduate" and huge fan...

@upstatephil Thank you so much for replying and for the information, attached is what I got from my most recent MRI, the pain in the hamstring and Tibialis are no joke, I have been taking so much medication with no success, seems like it is progressing on the pain.

Thank You for your comments. I sound just like you . Epidurals have worked for me but my pain Dr. told me I’ve reached my limit. Other than going into PT sites with questions about outcomes do you know of any way to find this information. Not many Orthopedic PT’s will let you ask these questions. Thanks . NA