Hello,
Let me introduce myself:
36 male from Canada.
In 2009 I herniated my L4-L5 disc and have been having on off back pain since. Once a year I would hurt my back and would need a few days to recuperate. No leg pain, no meds or surgeries.
This past April was in great shape until I busted my back again while skying. This time the pain was different and had shooting pain down both legs so decided to obtain an MRI.
The report shows significant disc space narrowing and desiccation, a large extrusion in my L4-L5 on a previous chronic looking hernia (2009).
It also was showed in my L4-L5 disc : Mild facet arthrosis on the right and moderate on the left which is causing mild foraminal stenosis on the right and moderate stenosis on the left which is likely not clinically significant.
I am waiting to meet a spine surgeon but have done a lot of research and am expecting for him to either offer me a fusion or ADR. I have failed conservative treatment for the past 4 months and things are getting worse .
The question that i have :
Will this mild/moderate facet arthosis and foraminal stenosis exclude me from being a candidate for an ADR?
Im terrified of the idea of getting a fusion at my age
Thanks!
Mike