Question
For the past ten years my wife has been in and out of different hospitals for pain in her lower stomach and mid to low back with many different diagnoses (Kidney Stones, Kidney Infections, Urinary tract infections, bad Gall bladder, and the list goes on. I even had one Doctor tell us that both her Kidneys were chronically infected and said she had a short time to live. All this was done on free care or Mass Health. Either way nothing helped in any way and they even removed her Gall Bladder for no apparent reason.
Recently we bought a health plan with Tufts and within a month an MRI came back saying she had some back problems.
I have known a few people with back problems and some of the symptoms sound the same as hers. Burning, extreme pain, headache, hopelessness, and this list goes on.
Below is the findings of the MRI by my primary care Doctor.
Can someone clearly explain what this means? What her future may be like? Can this problem be solved soon? Are there any risks? What is the best way to go from here? Should I buy the best insurance possible?
She would rather have surgery and maybe have a artificial disk put in if thats whats needed because  many people have told me its a long process trying different methods using surgery as a last resort something she really does not want to go through because of her 10 years of suffering.
Thank You so much in advance and here is the MRI.


Clinical indication:  Back pain.
     
    Technique: Sagittal  and axial T1 and T2. There are no prior studies
    for direct comparison.
     
    Findings:  The lumbar vertebral bodies demonstrate normal height and
    alignment.  There are no discrete bony lesions seen.
     
    There is a posterior annular fissure at L4-L5.  The L4-L5
    intervertebral disks demonstrates normal height but decreased T2
    signal consistent with disc dessication.  The remaining
    intervertebral disks are normal.
     
    There is prominent central canal noted within the conus consistent
    with a syrinx.
     
    L3-L4:  There is a tiny posterior central disc protrusion present
    which effaces the ventral thecal sac.  The neural foramina are
    widely patent.
     
    L4-L5:  There is a posterior annular fissures seen at this level.  A
    broad-based disc protrusion is noted without evidence of neural
    encroachment.  This slightly effaces the ventral thecal sac.
     
    L5-S1:  There is no disc bulge or herniation seen.  The L5 and
    central S1 nerve roots are normal.
     
    Impression:
    1. Posterior annular fissure L4-L5 associated with posterior central
    disc protrusion.  No neural encroachment is seen.
    2. Tiny posterior central disc protrusion L3-L4 without evidence of
    neural encroachment.
    3. Syrinx involving the conus.  The remaining neural axis should be
    further evaluated including the brain ,cervical spine and thoracic
    spine to exclude the possibility of a lesion
     
----You may email me at [email protected]
Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Robert,

The MRI doesn't explain everything, I need more of a complete history rule rule out food allergies or other neurological disorders. E-mail your # and I'll call you when I am done with patients Friday.

[email protected]

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com