Question
Symptoms..low back pain x 3 months...feels like pressure, sometimes sharp with movement, popping with hip flexion (bending,etc).. If I avoid bending, seems to ease up.

Recent MRI : FINDINGS: The cord terminates appropriately. The intervertebral disc
signal is diminished throughout the lumbar spine. There is mild diffuse
disc space narrowing. There is subtle retrolisthesis at L5-S1.

L2-L3: There is facet hypertrophy and a mild disc bulge without
stenosis.

L3-L4: There is marked facet hypertrophy and a mild disc bulge. There is
minimal central canal stenosis. There is no definite neural foraminal
stenosis.

L4-L5: There is marked facet hypertrophy. There is a broad-based disc
bulge. There is mild central canal stenosis. There is no neural
foraminal stenosis.

L5-S1: There is facet hypertrophy. There is a mild disc bulge. There is
effacement of the left lateral recess. There is no definite central
stenosis.

IMPRESSION:
Degenerative changes as above.

Having a hard time figuring the MRI report out, any ideas, comments, or suggestions?

Answer
Hi K;

I tried to put up, in response to the # of MRI questions, a brief primer on Mri reading on the cervical spine on my website, www.dynamicclinic.com, under the articles section.

You have a spine that is degenerating,(diminished signal) and the discs are drying out,(narrowing) and the hinges of your back are becoming arthritic. (Facet Hypertrophy.

The most disconcerting finding on your report is the stenosis.  Should this get worse you can be in a world of hurt, literally.  

Have you been to a chiropractor ever?  This is something we work on all the time.  FInd one who will recommend traction for your low back, something to pull the discs apart with, and you will be on the right track.   Should you want me to help you with the referral, contact me via my website.   If you are in Downtown Seattle, well, I'll be your chiropractor!   Bring the MRI results, you can also get the images burned to CD so you can have them for whoever you go to see.

Hope this answer helps,

Dr. Peter Carr
Seattle,WA