u/crynaldo10227

I have an L4 L5 disc herniation and it’s causing severe spinal canal stenosis. I saw my doctor today and he said the narrow spine is congenital. Since my symptoms are greatly improved, we don’t need to do anything right now, however, eventually I will almost assuredly need a laminectomy. He said that I will feel pain again. It’s just a matter of when. I am so worried and scared and I feel like I am living every day in fear of causing myself pain. Anyone in a similar situation please tell me how you cope with news like this. I am only 34 years old.

Hi, I’m new to this and can’t see my doctor til Monday so I’m freaking out. This was my MRI result:

“Diffuse disc bulge and broad-based central disc herniation at L4-L5 with 2 mm retrolisthesis of L4 on L5, resulting in severe spinal canal stenosis.”

About a month ago, I woke up with the worst pain in my life. With PT and time has almost completely resolved, but I do have some residual pain and numbness in my foot. Decided to get an MRI just for fun and this was the result. Google is scaring me. Will I need surgery? Does this progress to cauda equina?

A month ago I woke up with severe back pain, causing numbness and pins and needles in my foot. I just recently felt well enough to get an MRI and I am improving a lot with physical therapy. I just got my results:

IMPRESSION:

Diffuse disc bulge and broad-based central disc herniation at L4-L5 with 2 mm retrolisthesis of L4 on L5, resulting in severe spinal canal stenosis.

My physical therapist said this does not change her treatment plan of just physical therapy, but is this something I should be a little more worried about? Doctors said I don’t need to follow up unless I’m having worsening symptoms, but I’m not.