Can someone explain my MRI results?

[SpineBurger]

My posture is terrible but im pretty certain its a result of my extremely short collar bone. (this may sound absurd but its a known phenomenon that longer collar bones result in better posture whereas short ones tend to draw the shoulders forward).

In any case, I have a feeling that my beginning stage issues mentioned above are *because* of my fitness. I've been very physically active and I think it creates wear and tear. Maybe if anything I need to tone it down a bit.

[mmglobal]

IMHO, being physically active makes you fit. My father has a bad back. My brother has a bad back. I truly believe that if I was not so active (soccer 6 days a week, including lots of goalkkeeping, skydiving, rock climbing, scuba, etc....) I would have been a spiney much sooner. My first MRI was in 1988 showing degenerated L4-5 and L5-S1. I did not treat for almost 10 years of intense activity... only after getting rear-ended on the freeway on the way to work, did spine become my life.

Good luck...

Mark

[Anthagar]

Report:
MRI, lumbar spine

Unenhanced multisequence data acquisition was followed by soft copy review of multiple image series.

Comparison(s): Lumbar radiographs, 7/31/2015

Note: Standard anatomical configuration, with five lumbar vertebral bodies, is assumed, as numbered on the exam and reported for the current study.

Findings:

A small oval-shaped left renal lesion is seen, probably representing a cyst, but is not fully imaged or assessed by this exam.

Slight anterior wedging of the T12 and L1 vertebral bodies appears nonacute and is suspected to be congenital/developmental.
Small Schmorl's nodes are shown. Probable L1 vertebral body hemangioma. Overall vertebral marrow pattern grossly unremarkable. Normal-appearing conus termination. Multilevel disc desiccation noted, with relative reservation of hydration at L3-4.

Hypertrophic facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum enlargement are mild to moderate overall, generally greatest inferiorly; note is made of minimal, grade 1 retrolisthesis of L4 on L5; these factors contribute to stenotic disease.

L1-2: Minimal annular bulging and anterior thecal sac flattening with gross neuroforaminal patency.

L2-3: Essentially unremarkable.

L3-4: Minimal foraminal position disc protrusions bilaterally. L3 neuroforaminal narrowing is minimal/mild on the right and mild-to-moderate on the left.

L4-5: Mild generalized annular bulging with minimally accentuated foraminal position disc protrusions. Slight anterior thecal sac flattening. Mild-to-moderate L4 neuroforaminal narrowing bilaterally.

L5-S1: Mild generalized annular bulging with suggested tiny annular fissure, with an accompanying minimal focal disc protrusion, in the left foraminal position. Moderate L5 neuroforaminal narrowing bilaterally.

Impression:

Stenotic abnormalities, detailed above, result from a combination of facet hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum enlargement, limited discal displacement, hypertrophic endplate changes and, at L4-5, minimal spondylolisthesis. Please see the above report, to include the level by level description.

Small left renal lesion, possibly a cyst but not fully assessed by this exam. Other findings/details per report.