What does my lumbar MRI report indicate about my lower back condition?

Understanding Your Lumbar MRI Results

Your MRI shows degenerative changes in your lower spine that are causing some nerve compression, but there are no fractures or acute injuries requiring emergency intervention.

What Your MRI Shows

1. Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease

   • Most severe at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels (the two lowest disc spaces in your spine)
   • This means the discs between your vertebrae are showing signs of wear and tear, which is common with aging 1
   • Your L4-L5 disc has lost more height since your previous MRI

2. Anterolisthesis of L5 on S1

   • One vertebra (L5) has slipped slightly forward relative to the vertebra below it (S1)
   • This is related to degeneration of the facet joints (small joints at the back of the spine)

3. Disc Protrusion at L5-S1

   • The disc material is bulging outward
   • This is causing narrowing of the nerve openings (foramina) on both sides
   • This condition has worsened since your previous MRI
   • These protrusions can potentially compress nerve roots 1

4. Improved Disc Protrusion at L4-L5

   • While this disc has lost more height, the protrusion has actually improved compared to your previous scan

5. No Fractures

   • There are no acute compression fractures or other bone breaks

What This Means For You

• Pain Source: Your symptoms are likely coming from the degenerative changes and disc protrusions, particularly at L5-S1 where the condition has worsened 2
• Common Condition: Degenerative disc disease is the most common cause of low back pain, especially at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels 3
• Nerve Compression: The "foraminal narrowing" means the openings where nerves exit your spine are becoming smaller, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs

Important Considerations

• Not Everyone With These Findings Has Pain: Studies show that many people without back pain have similar MRI findings 4, but your worsening changes at L5-S1 correlate with symptoms
• Age-Related: These changes typically increase with age, peaking around the fifth decade of life 5
• Progression: Disc degeneration can progress over time, but the rate varies between individuals

Next Steps

Your doctor will likely discuss treatment options based on:

• The severity of your symptoms
• How much these changes affect your daily activities
• Whether there are signs of nerve compression causing leg symptoms

Treatment might include physical therapy, pain management, or in some cases, surgical intervention if conservative measures fail and nerve compression is significant 1.