MRI--Lumbar spine w/o contrast---39 year old athletic male--Results for interpre!
Question: IMPRESSION:
Disc osteophyte complex at L3-L4 and w/o spinal canal stenosis. Suggestion of annular tear within the L3-L4 disc. mild narrowing of the bilateral neural foramina w/o compromised of the exiting nerve roots. Broad based disc osteophyte complex of the L4-L5 producing minimal stenosis of the spinal canal. The disc protrusion abuts the intra canal portion of the bilateral L5 nerve roots in correlation for an L5 radiculopathy is suggested.
Ok, now in English please?
Answers: IMPRESSION:
Disc osteophyte complex at L3-L4 and w/o spinal canal stenosis. Suggestion of annular tear within the L3-L4 disc. mild narrowing of the bilateral neural foramina w/o compromised of the exiting nerve roots. Broad based disc osteophyte complex of the L4-L5 producing minimal stenosis of the spinal canal. The disc protrusion abuts the intra canal portion of the bilateral L5 nerve roots in correlation for an L5 radiculopathy is suggested.
Ok, now in English please?
You have common, mild degenerative changes (consistent with your age and being an athlete) at L3/L4 and L4/L5. At L4/L5 the mild disc/vertebral degenerative change is creating a MINIMAL narrowing of the spinal canal (the canal inside the vertebra that contains the spinal cord) and this might be irritating the L5 nerve roots.
"Correlation for an L5 radiculopathy is suggested" is the radiologists way of saying this is probably not clinically significant unless your doctor has already diagnosed (from your history and his physical examination of you) an L5 nerve compression problem.
Bottom line, this report is very common for a person in your situation and it does not suggest any serious spinal disorder.
As an athlete, you are probably very 'in-tune' with your body. Whatever symptoms you are having that lead to this MRI are likely to respond very well to conservative treatment of the underlying biomechanical imbalances that are CAUSING the mild degenerative changes seen in the MRI. A consultation and evaluation by your family Chiropractor may be your 'best bet'.
Best wishes and good luck.