Question
I have had lower back pain since adolescence when I was a competitive long jumper. I am now 68 and have suffered increased pain over the past six months.. My CT scan result reads:
At L4/5 there is generalized disc bulge which is more pronounced on the right side where it indents the thecal sac. There is also marked ligamentum flavum thickening and synovial thickening associated with the facet joints at this level. Degenerative changes are present in both facet joints and there is a synovial cyst on the left side compressing the thecal sac possibly affecting the L4 nerve root here. (though oddly enough my pain is on the right side and runs down the right leg)' the L5/S1 is disc degenerate., there is generalized disc bulge and there are osteophytes on the vertebral margins. There are degenerative changes in the facet joints. There is bilateral foraminal narrowing without obvious nerve root pressure. Summary: The most significant pathology is at L4/5 where there is a degenerative bulging disc and facet joint changes more pronounced on the left.  As a result there is central and left-sided foraminal narrowing'.

Does any of this explain my constant pain,a and what should be done to relive it?

Answer
Good question Alison,

I think 80% of your symptoms and biomechanical compression on the spinal cord can be effectively eliminated conservatively with a procedure called flexion/distraction.
The synovial cyst will remain but seemingly isn't causing discomfort. Fist thing I would do is find a Chiropractor that has this equipment and start treatment. If you don't notice a 50% reduction in pain and symptoms in a couple weeks at 3x/week, then find another doctor.
Obviously surgery creates scar tissue and causes permanent disability to some degree in all cases, so this should only be contemplated after F/D therapy. More than 95% of spine pathology can be reversed with this standardized, proven, researched treatment. Here is a link that explains what it is and what it does, the next step is to go down the list in the local phone book under Chiropractors and ask if they have F/D tables. You will be amazed at how fast this issue can and should be resolved. If you need additional help, please feel free to ask.

Here is the link............

http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin