Question
After MRI, it showed L4/L5 There is a right posterolateral disc protrusion, mild facet degeneration bilaterally &  moderate to severe right and borderline left neural foraminal stenosis. Can this come from aging? Or the accident?  I was just fine before the accident.  I am still in pain.  Am seeing a chiropractor, but not getting better as soon as I thought.  Does this mean I may need surgery?  How severe is this disc protrusion. Don't hold back, people (Chiro. & P/T) are afraid to speak up.  I just need to know what I am dealing with. I'll await your reply.

Answer
hi kathi-

don't worry, i rarely hold my tongue... i know it's frustrating when no one will give you a straight answer

the disc protrusion could be from car wreck- the stenosis is aging, as is facet degeneration. most likely when you got in the car wreck your body was already weakened in that area, hence the trauma made it more painful. like if you were to punch something with an arm that already had a fracture in it- that make sense?

I don't know how bad the protrusion is- look at the results and see if anything says "indents thecal sac" or anything about "the cord" being contacted. (you don't want either of those things.. if you have them then the protrusion is worse)

if anti inflammatory meds don't help, often people try steroid injection into the bad disc. this should lessen the swelling and hopefully give it a chance to heal. it's worth a shot as opposed to jumping into anything more invasive

as for the stenosis, try looking here:
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article167.html

remember, this site is only addressing the stenosis, not the protrusion

as for surgery- it is possible but i wouldn't say probable. i know that's vague, but going on the limited information (and of course not being a doctor) that's the best i've got for you. one note- be careful about the chiropractors. some are good, certainly, but i receive far more questions where people feel they've been damaged by them. too much popping of the bones is not a great idea when you've got degenerative spinal conditions...

however, if they do accupuncture i'd try that. sometimes very helpful for pain in a number of parts of the body (and you can't feel the needles at all- promise)

hope that helps some- i'll be out here if you have more questions
good luck
leslie