QuestionHi, I would like your ideas on if this new MRI result is just worsening from the original problem or if it seems like more has happened
Your suggestions on management please.
I am currently seeing a physio 1 or 2 times a week, with stretches and core strength exercises and my pain is like a yo-yo. At times, there is sciatic pain down to R big toe and sometimes very light pins and needles to heel and bottom of R foot.
My initial CT 2007:
Minimal L5/S1 disc space reduction with what appears to be a mild focal central disc protrusion with slight indentation upon the anterior aspect of the thecal sac.
My MRI 2007:
L5/S1 there is some loss of intervertebral disc space height associated with disc desiccation. A contained annular rupture is visible centrally associated with a small profile central to left paracentral disc protrusion. No definite encroachment on the adjacent neural structures is seen.
Recent MRI results:
L5/S1 the disc is slightly narrowed, and there is disc dehydration. The posterior disc margin is intact and the spinal canal and neural foramina are of normal calibre.
L4/5, there is disc dehydration, with a slight degree of posterocentral disc bulging causing minimal effacement of the anterior aspect of the thecal sac. The neural foramina are preserved.
The conus and cauda equina appear within normal limits. No other bony or soft tissue abnormalities are visualised.
Thanks
Answer
Hanna Somatic Educatio 
Lawrence Gold Somatics
Hello, Kym,
These results are moderate, compared to some I have seen.
re: "disc desiccation" and "disc dehydration", those are terms for the same thing. The other results sound the same, to me.
Sciatica and disc bulges indicate rather tight muscles in the back, which cause both conditions. The condition is easily correctible -- but not particularly with strengthening or stretching. An altogether different approach works much better.
I have done a write-up with answers in more detail.
http://somatics.com/sciaticasymptoms-piriformissyndrome.htm
