Hi doctor,
Please translate in English the findings of the MRI of my L-spinal canal which are as follows:
- MRI examination of the lumbar spine without intravenous gadolinium enhancement shows an unremarkable bone marrow signal. The visualized prevertebral and paraspinal soft tissue is normal. The conus are unremarkable.
- Central disc bulge at L4 to L5 level IS causing bilateral recess stenosis with mild impingement of the bilateral L5 nerve roots along the lateral recess.
- The right lateral bulging annulus at L5-S1 is causing mild impingement of the right L5 nerve root. Visualized SI joints and sacrum are unremarkable.
Impression: No evidence of significant central canal stenosis. Central bulging annulus at L4 to L5 level is causing mild bilateral lateral recess stenosis with mild impingement of the bilateral L5 nerve root.
Four years ago, the MRI of my back showed a pinched nerve in L5 and L4 bulging discs. I am five feet and five inches tall and four years back, I worked in home health care and took care of a woman in a hospital bed who had muscular spinal dystrophy. She weighed 250 pounds. So, after bed panning and laying her back down, I had to pull the bed sheet up so as to put her back in place. It created a lot of strain, wear and tear on my body and back. One day, I woke up and got out of my bed and I could barely stand since I had pain in my left leg and left hip. It was the worst pain that I had ever had in my life.
I was misdiagnosed with trochanteric bursitis. An MRI taken a couple of years back showed that it was not bursitis, and a hip labral tear could not be ruled out. I also felt clicking and popping sounds in my hip when walking, and the doctor told me that I have weakness in my left leg. I cannot sleep on either side of my hip for more than five to 10 minutes. A lot of times, I tried to walk by keeping my left leg straight and stiff but the pain was unbearable, especially during rainy and cold weather. I have done physical therapy, tens unit, taken chiropractor sessions, Cortisone shots, heat, etc. It does help, but it is not enough. Anti-inflammatory medications do not work, and I have never had surgery before.
I need your expertise on what my MRI reports mean in English. What do you recommend? I am waiting to get into pain management. I am taking the tablet Lyrica 75 mg three times a day but honestly, it does not really help. Other tablets that I take include Adderall 30 mg, Wellbutrin 150 mg, and over-the-counter Ibuprofen. Previously, I was taking the tablets Vicodin, Percocet, Tramadol, Butrans patch 15 mcg, and anti-inflammatory medications. What medicines do you recommend that would help with my pain? I work in a warehouse that stocks cabinet doors, hence I am very active at night, and I work really hard. Please help.