Question 1

i have a broad based bulging disc l5 s1 and multilevel  facet arthropathy throughout the lumbosacral spine. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

It means that : the disc between the 5th lumbar &amp; 1st sacral vertebrae has developed a weak spot that allows the soft pulpy inside to bulge out. The rest has to do with the places where vertebrae connect. HEADS UP: Words really aren't enough here. ASK to review the images with the doc. You deserve an explanation in terms you understand. BUT, you also owe it to yourself to do your homework. Read up about it first.

Question 2

does a bulging disc always come with facet arthropathy? i have l5-s1 bulging disc and my whole back is in pain..is it possible from facet arthropathy?

Accepted Answer

No, two separate : Pain generators. However, you can certainly have both at the same time. Facet arthropathy and disc bulging will have different symptoms that can be determined by physical exam findings and have different treatment options. Facet pain will usually still be localized to levels or follow a referral pattern, not usually diffuse pain. You will need a physical exam. May be muscular as well.

Question 3

mri results in lamen terms dengenrated disc at t11-12 and more significantly l4-5 and l5-s1 with annular bulges at l4-5 and l5-s1 taht are focally prominent centrally. no significant facet arthropathy is seen.

Accepted Answer

Degenerated : Degenerated disk is the disk is wearing out and collapsing.  
Annular bulges when the disk collapses the disk starts to push out.
Centrally is the location of the bulge in the center, not on the right or left sides.
Facet arthropathy is arthritis or wearing out of the facet joint.  You don't have this.

Please see my health guides why does arthritis cause back pain.  Good luck!

Question 4

i have mild facet arthropathy from l3-s1 as well as bulging discs at l4-5&l5-s1 and bilateral neural foraminal stenosis @l5-s1. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Mild Back arthritis: Degenerative changes of spine all above findings are 30% asymptomatic may or not be cause of your symptoms .Now you have a more detailed list of suspects to investigate with a spine specialist.

Question 5

my mri showed l5-s1 disc bulge with mild facet arthropathy at l4-5 and l5-s1.  as well as l5-s1 ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and facet arthropathy??

Accepted Answer

Spinal Arthritis: Your MRI results are consistent with age. Often these findings do not cause any pain. A lifetime of use, injuries (sports/falls) are consistent with these findings. Most people have similar "arthritic" changes in the spine after age 25. I assume you are symptomatic. PT, weight control and strengthening your back would good first steps. Listening to your pain is very important to avoid re-injuring.

Question 6

mri of lumbar spine lists desiccation of disc at l5-s1. l4-l5 mild facet arthropathy & hypertrophy. l5-s1 minimal bulge & moderate facet ^. meaning??

Accepted Answer

Aging changes: Disc desiccation refers to loss of water content in the discs as a result of aging. Facet hypertrophy is degenerative arthritis of the joints between the vertebral bodies. A bulging disc is one that protrudes out to some extent into the spinal canal. All of these are just descriptions. Significance depends on how these findings relate to your symptoms and physical exam.

Question 7

ct scan shows disc bulges at t12-l1, l3-l4, l4-l5, l5-s1,  minimal facet arthropathy at t12 to l4 mild l4-15, severe l5-s1with left foraminal stenosis, retrolisthesis l4-l5, anterolisthesis l5-s1, mild right convex curvature, how bad is this?

Accepted Answer

CT &amp; spinal problems: This could be normal if you are not having pain.  But suspect you had this done because of pain and you must discuss with your Dr.  I do not know you.  Your team does.

Question 8

i had an mri last december, these are the findings....at l5-s1, there is a disk bulge, facet arthropathy, bilateral ora defects, 5mm of anterolisthesis.  i have had pain for the last 18 years, but wiithin the last 2 years it has gotten progressively worse

Accepted Answer

Radiological Studies: their clinical significance and the necessary treatment options should be discussed with the physician who ordered the study.  They have all the history, physical examination and now the study to make proper treatment decisions and offer opinions.

Question 9

is running still ok with mild facet arthropathy of the l5/s1?

Accepted Answer

Yes: As long as it is not making your pain worse.

Question 10

just discovered i have mild facet arthropathy at l5/s1 on right side with spurring. feel like my youth is over. love to run/workout. is it over?

Accepted Answer

No: Facet arthropathy is a radiologic term. In twenties male this radiologic description is not commonly correlate w. Experience of chronic pain generation. Doctors often chose radiologists' terms to explain symptoms when unable/incapable of determining other causes.  See an osteopath for in-depth hands-on physical exam.  "facet" diagnosis seems to be the current medical fashion. You need 2nd opinion.

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Doctor answers about:

Small shadow broad based central disc profusion and facet arthropathy l5 s1

A member asked:

I have a broad based bulging disc l5 s1 and multilevel facet arthropathy throughout the lumbosacral spine. what does this mean?

A member asked:

Does a bulging disc always come with facet arthropathy? i have l5-s1 bulging disc and my whole back is in pain..is it possible from facet arthropathy?

A member asked:

Mri results in lamen terms dengenrated disc at t11-12 and more significantly l4-5 and l5-s1 with annular bulges at l4-5 and l5-s1 taht are focally prominent centrally. no significant facet arthropathy is seen.

A member asked:

I have mild facet arthropathy from l3-s1 as well as bulging discs at l4-5&l5-s1 and bilateral neural foraminal stenosis @l5-s1. what does this mean?

A member asked:

My mri showed l5-s1 disc bulge with mild facet arthropathy at l4-5 and l5-s1. as well as l5-s1 ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and facet arthropathy??

A member asked:

Mri of lumbar spine lists desiccation of disc at l5-s1. l4-l5 mild facet arthropathy & hypertrophy. l5-s1 minimal bulge & moderate facet ^. meaning??

A member asked:

Ct scan shows disc bulges at t12-l1, l3-l4, l4-l5, l5-s1, minimal facet arthropathy at t12 to l4 mild l4-15, severe l5-s1with left foraminal stenosis, retrolisthesis l4-l5, anterolisthesis l5-s1, mild right convex curvature, how bad is this?

A member asked:

I had an mri last december, these are the findings....at l5-s1, there is a disk bulge, facet arthropathy, bilateral ora defects, 5mm of anterolisthesis. i have had pain for the last 18 years, but wiithin the last 2 years it has gotten progressively worse

A member asked:

Is running still ok with mild facet arthropathy of the l5/s1?

A member asked:

Just discovered i have mild facet arthropathy at l5/s1 on right side with spurring. feel like my youth is over. love to run/workout. is it over?

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