Question
Hello Dr.
I have been involved in many auto accidents & have chronic neck & back pain. I would like to know in laymen terms the findings of my test. It states, the most complete inferior disc is considered L5-S1. The conus medullaris terminiates at L1-L2 and no abnormal signal is seen in the distal cord. There is preservation of the vertebral body heights with normal bone marrow signal. Minimal disc osteophyte complex left neural foramen L5-S1 extending extreforaminally. There is mild to moderate facet arthropathy L2-L3 moderate facet arthropathy L3-L4 and L4-L5 and L5-S1. I see no significant spinal canal or neural foraminal stenosis.

Answer
Hi Tammy,

Your results show that there are no problems affecting your spinal cord. You have some mild-moderate arthritis in the joints in your low back (facet arthropathy). The arthritis in your low back may have resulted from a combination of trauma from the auto accidents and age.

I hope this helps!

Dr. Liza