Introduction and MRI

[Billkent]

All,
Been reading this forum for a year or so and it provides a great deal of hope, something back sufferers can't get to much of. Just had my mri and here are results.

L4/L5: prior left laminectmy suggested. Posterolayeral disc bulge, accompanying end plate spurring and minimal facet arthrosis identified. Mild retro distal lateral recess narrowing has questionable effect on traversing l5 nerve root.

L5/S1: no central canal stenosis, minimal disc bulge present. Facet tropism and arthrosis identified. Inferior foraminal narrowing on left has questionable effect on the exiting L5 nerve root.

I don't have the knowledge that others have(getting their quickly, lol), but does any of this sound like a derailer for adr?

Thanks,

BK

[Harrison]

BK, the degree of facet athrosis (arthritis) should be quantified -- staged -- especially at L5-S1. Advanced stages are always a contraindication -- at least in the U.S. and with many conservative Euro doctors.

To what do you attribute your spinal condition? Do you see it as reversible without surgery? It is possible if the DDD and disease is not too advanced. Stem cell, naturopathic, lifestyle changes...

[Billkent]

Selling my life to a corporation, slumping in an office chair and working 90 hours per week instead of working out. I had two disc herniation so during that time. Nobody to blame but myself!

[kimmers]

Billkent,

Welcome. There are certain contraindications for ADR, and you can look them up on this site. Or go to the FDA site. Each doctor has certain parameters about what surgery a person should have or not have.
I would not do surgery unless you are in so much pain you cannot go about life like you want to, or in other words, your lifestyle is affected by the pain. Or like in the cervical spine, you have a problem that is affecting your spinal cord. There are emergencies like a cuada equina situation, where if it is not treated it can cause things like permanent incontinence. However, surgery is the last resort.
I know for me that physical therapy with orthopaedic certified specialists helped me for a while before surgery and helped in my recovery (after surgery). Everyone is different, every body is different and you should try less invasive things than surgery, first. In my case, I tried epidurals and ruled out my facets as a pain-generator and had discograms and physical therapy before I had surgery. My problems are due to degenerative disc disease (DDD) but there are other pain-generators out there. It is important to find out what is generating your pain.

Kimmers