Question
MRI w/no contrast. The conus medullaris terminates at the L1 vertebral level.  The vertebral body stature, marrow signal and alignment throughout the lumbar spine otherwise all appear intact.  Some very minimal disc bulges in the lower thoracic spine are present w/out significant canal stenosis.  L1-2 Neural foramina are patent with some facet hypertrophic change but not appreciable canal stenosis.  L2-3 Again the neural foramina are patent with facet effusion but no appreciable canal stenosis.  L3-4 Diffuse disc bulge is again present with no definite neural foraminal narrowing with facet effusion and ligament flavum hypertrophy but no appreciable canal stenosis.  L4-5 Diffuse disc bulge is again present slightly narrowing the bilateral neural foramina and flattening the ventral thecal sac with facet hypertrophic change and ligament flavum hypertrophy causing mild trefoil canal stenosis.  L5-6 Neural foramina are again patent with not appreciable canal stenosis.  There are multilevel regions of degenerative disc disease are present with disc bulges but no significant neural foraminal narrowing or canal stenosis.

I understand portions of this report but I am lost with most of it.  What is the main problem/determination of this?

Answer
Hi, G.

The main problem is disc degeneration and bulges caused by tight, musclebound back muscles.

Please see these two pages:
http://somatics.com/chronic_back_pain.htm
http://somatics.com/back_pain_terms.htm

... for more explanation and a course of action.