Question
I know you can't give medical advise, but I need a direction to go in with my doctors. Their not telling me much of anything. I have undergone injections, blocks, nerve burns bilateral, medications, PT, and now I don't know what to do. My current MRI w/ o contrast: Grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 with spondylolysis of L5. Alignment lumbar spine with mild to moderate decrease in disc height at L4-L5. Mild spondylolysis L2-L3.
L3-L4-mild facet spondylolysis and ligamentous hypertrophy. L4-L5- moderate central disc protrusion with minimal posterior disc bulge & mild to moderate facet spondylolysis with mild ligamentous hypertrophy, mild mass effect on the thecal sac w/o central canal stenosis. L5-S1-minimal posterior disc bulge with moderate facet spondylolysis and hypertrophy and mild ligamentous hypertrophy with stenosis. L4-L5- mild to moderate disc degeneration and central broad based disc protrusion mildly narrowing the canal & mildly effecting the lateral recesses. L5-S1- mild narrowing of the neural formina & facet arthropathy bilaterally. Mild edema within the left dorsal para spinal musculature between L4-S1. Minimal anterolisthesis of L5-S1 with bilateral chronic spondylolysis.
Without medication I am unable to walk, loss of bowels, pain in lumbar spine down thru the hips, legs, and feet. Legs get every cold and purplish. What would be the best approach to my care ? Thank you for taking the time out to respond.

Answer
Hello Tanya,
I'm sorry to hear both about your pain as well as your frustration with your circumstance.  My recommendation regarding your care lies with obtaining advise from a doctor who understands the cause of your pain. Your report indicated that: L4-L5- mild to moderate disc degeneration and central broad based disc protrusion mildly narrowing the canal & mildly effecting the lateral recesses" and that you complain of serious pain, mobility problems as well as bowel problems. Firstly, I would suggest to go to emergency at hospital immediately - today - to have someone there see you, second I would find another doctor who can piece together your problem. If you have NOT been diagnosed with Cauda Equina syndrome then you should seek out a doctor who performs similar care as I do. You can go to www.backclinicsofcanada.ca to understand my care better.

Please keep me posted.
Can you please take a moment out to rate my answer and consider to nominate me as expert of the month.

I wish you clarity with your problem and a speedy and safe recovery,

Dr. Ron Nusbaum
Back Clinics of Canada