Is my L4-L5 disc bulge on MRI dangerous?

Question

Hi doctor,

I need someone to interpret my MRI report since my doctor is currently unavailable. Disc desiccation with mild disc height reduction, small posterior annular fissure, and mild posteroventral disc protrusion at the L5-S1 level, causing ventral thecal sac. Indentation with partial effacement of the bilateral lateral recess.

Diffuse disc bulge with facet arthropathy at the L4 -L5 level, causing gentle ventral. Thecal sac indentation with no significant neural foraminal compromise. Kindly explain.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I have read your attached MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) report. From the attached reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), very well. Simply put, there is evidence of slipped disc-like features in your spine MRI. The disc is coming out at the L4-L5 level.

There is also some inflammation at the vertebral joints (facets). This is what your MRI report says. You might be experiencing moderate to severe back pain, hindering your day-to-day activities. As you are 24 years old, this back pain would be very troublesome for you. Mostly, it is due to a busy lifestyle and bad posture throughout the day, including the workplace setting or any job you are doing.

The good thing is that there is no evidence of any nerve compression as per the reports (however, I need to see the films as well to be very sure of it). It appears to be mostly muscular, but I need more details about your pain to get to the root cause of it.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.