I have had longstanding back pain for over 20 years MRI scan shows L5/s1 there is a broad based posterior disc extrusion indenting the ventral surface of the theca and possibly just touching and irritating the transiting S1 roots unilaterally but with no frank root compression. Patent exiting foramina. Can you please tell me what it means.
Hello Thanks for writing to according to report, you are suffering from degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine. Degenerative changes occur in spine due to aging and development of weakness in annulus fibrosis.1. At L5-S1 level, there is broad based posterior herniation of intervertebral disc and and it is causing thecal sac indentations and and possibly just touching and irritating the exiting S1 roots unilaterally. There is no narrowing of neural foramen. So, you have mild findings, and it can be manged conservatively. Majority of the cases of degenerative spine disease are benefited by physiotherapy, so physiotherapy should be tried first. Surgery should be the last option. There are also medicines like capsule pregabalin available for pain relief. Get well soon. Take Care Chat Doctor.