Question
Hello!

Back in November my back started hurting,I did not ice it! I had never had back pain so I didn't know to do so I just ignored it I was going to the gym 4-5x a week so I thought I must have pulled or overused some muscle,Im 27. after I decided to get meds for inflammation,they didn't work my back spasm gave me sciatica... I got an MRI..my doctor said it was ok? but I'm not so sure? my question is what do the results mean,and what can I do fix if there is a issue.

mild posterior bulging of the disc annulus at L5-S1 with a slight decrease in signal intensity,and mild loss in height,only extending in the epidural fat at this time.no evidence thecal sac compression or spinal stenosis.

Thanks!

Answer
Maria;

OK.  So, if your pain over your back was diffuse, it's more than likely a muscle issue. Nor do muscles cause sciatica, which is HUGE pain that shoots to the heel.  If your sciatica doesn't, it could well be something else.  

Now, I'll spare you the detials of the disc; you can read my article about the disc on my website @ www.dynamicclinic.com.  

About your MRI:  L5 is the most commonly herniated disc in the spine.  Yours is bulging into the space that's occupied by the nerve.   This is the state of things when you are laying flat on your back in the MRI tube... does your pain increase when you are working out?  Increase in the morning?  Those are indicative of disc injury.  Read my article, see if it helps.  

Hope this answer helped!

Dr. Peter Carr