u/Tori_Wheeler

Made it to my appointment yesterday for my MRI follow up. I was taken out of work and will be going in for a nerve study. He said after this we will discuss either "targeted" injections or surgery. I did the injection with no relief. I know mine isn't that bad image wise... but I'm in constant pain all day everyday and can't find relief with anything I've done.

Assessment Note-

Ms. Wheeler is following up after her lumbar MRI. It does show an L5-S1 anterior listhesis with uncovering of the disc. There is moderate foraminal stenosis bilaterally. No definitive nerve impingement on the MRI. She does continue to have severe pain that radiates down the right leg into the right foot. She also has any electrical or zapping sensation in the coccyx. She has been through physical therapy and medications. This has been going on for about a year and a half now since her motor vehicle accident. This was initially a Worker's Comp. case. With her continuing symptoms I will get her set up for a right lower extremity EMG and also get her out of work for couple weeks while we are getting the EMG done. She may need to initiate some FMLA paperwork or see if they can reopen her Worker's Comp. case if it is indicated.

Diagnosis-

Low Back Pain, Unspecified Back Pain Laterality, Unspecified Chronicity, Unspecified Whether Sciatica Present; Lumbar Radiculopathy; Spondylolisthesis of Lumbar Region

MRI read on 6-30-2026

Impression

No high-grade central or foraminal stenosis.
L5-S1 anterior listhesis, suspect due to bilateral L5 spondylolysis although not definitive. Lumbar spine radiographs with oblique images and/or CT may be confirmatory.

-Suggest follow-up flexion and extension views if not already performed elsewhere.

Additional very mild degenerative changes and ancillary findings, as described in Findings section.

INDICATION: M54.16: Lumbar radiculopathy ; low back pain with right leg pain and numbness and tingling

COMPARISON: No prior studies

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar multi sequence MR imaging of the lumbar spine was performed utilizing sagittal T1, T2, STIR, and axial T2 and T1 sequences.

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FINDINGS:

ALIGNMENT: L5-S1 anterior listhesis is present by estimated 3 mm. L5 spondylolysis is suggested bilaterally but not definitive. Facet degeneration is present at this level.

OSSEOUS: No suspicious osseous marrow lesion is seen. Mild endplate reactive marrow signal changes are present at L4-5 and L5-S1.

CONUS/CAUDA EQUINA: The conus medullaris is located at the L1 level and has a normal appearance and signal.

T12/L1 level: T12 level is rib-bearing. There is no central or foraminal stenosis.

L1/2 level: There is no central or foraminal stenosis.

L2/3 level: There is no central or foraminal stenosis.

L3/4 level: There is no central or foraminal stenosis.

L4/5 level: Very mild disc bulge is present. There is no central or foraminal stenosis.

L5/S1 level: Disc bulge is present uncovered by the anterior listhesis. Facet hypertrophy is present. Mild to moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis is present. No central stenosis is present.

VISUALIZED RETROPERITONEUM: Focus of fluid signal is present in the right kidney suggesting simple cyst. No additional dedicated follow-up is recommended as this incidental finding is likely benign.

OTHER: None

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Hey everyone, I’m looking to see if anyone else has dealt wih a symptom timeline like this while waiting for a spine specialist appointment. I’m currently dealing with severe spinal stenosis at the L5-S1 level (my MRI shows severe compression shifted heavily to my right side).

This all stems from a vehicle accident on December 6, 2024. The impact caused a severe lower back injury, resulting in spinal slippage (spondylolisthesis) and the nerve compression/canal narrowing I am dealing with now.

Here is what has been going on over the last few days:

Bowel Changes: This is my biggest concern. Over the last 48 hours, I have had four separate episodes of bowel incontinence (soiling myself slightly). One happened Monday night at work, and another happened yesterday evening while just sitting on the couch. I am not sick, have no fever, and have no stomach pain or GI issues. The stool is loose and mucusy. When I get to the toilet, it completely empties without me even needing to push.

Pain & Numbness: I have extreme lower back pain and severe radiating pain/numbness through my hips (mostly the right side) and down my right leg into my foot. I also have a constant, deep "bruised" feeling in my right buttock. Driving is incredibly painful because I use my right leg.

Phantom Sensations: I’ve started getting bizarre nerve sensations down the inside of my right leg. At times it feels like intense heat, and other times it feels exactly like cool water is being poured down the inside of my leg.

Work Aggravation: I work 12-hour shifts as a dispatcher. Sitting in a standard chair makes my back pain unbearable. When I stand up, the numbness and tingling in my hip and leg get much worse. I've resorted to sitting on an exercise ball at work, but it’s so low to the ground that standing up from it causes intense pain.

Current Neurological Status: I am still able to walk, I still have feeling in my "saddle area" when I wipe, and I do not have foot drop right now.

I have already tried multiple conservative management options, including a full course of physical therapy, bracing, pain medication, nerve medication, muscle relaxers and targeted steroid injections. Unfortunately, none of these treatments have provided lasting relief, and my symptoms have steadily broken down to the mechanical issues and nerve failure I'm experiencing today.

I messaged my doctor this morning with this exact timeline and my specialist appointment is this Thursday morning. Has anyone else had their symptoms progress like this? How quickly did things move for you?

Follow up results for MRI

L5-S1 pars, spondylolisthesis grade 2 symptoms