Hello from Phoenix Az. im 30 years old and got some bad MRI results had a few questions about arthritis and toren disk

[mike c]

So i am 30 years old have been suffering from low back pain for a longggg time. I just got my MRI results back and it says I have multi level facet arthropathy along with a toren and seperated L5-S1 disk. Questions is this bad???? is the arthritis the the reason I am always in pain??? what to do to fix this??? Went to see my primary care doc and he is sending me to a pain specialist.

[Pbchoclovr]

Hi Mike C,

Welcome to the site. This a great place to find answers to a lot of questions, and great people to support you.

My experience prior to my surgery was similar to yours, except my disc wasn't torn, but it was flat as a pancake. I also have arthritis in my L4/5 and L5/S1 levels including the facet joints at the L5/S1 levels. The answer to your question is not straightforward. Either the arthritis or the torn disc alone (or both together) could be causing your pain. It's hard to say since it's different from person to person. Some people have one or both conditions and experience no pain whatsoever. Others it's off the charts.
Your best bet at this point is to discuss the results of your tests, symptoms, and your pain levels with the pain specialist. They'll be able to develop a plan that will treat your specific symptoms. If they feel it's a more severe situation based on whatever symptoms you describe, then they'll refer you on to the appropriate professional.

Since your being referred to a pain specialist, I'd probably be safe in saying your not in an emergency situation. An emergency situation would losing the use of your legs and/or the inability to control your bowels. If that were to happen, you would have been referred for immediate surgery, according to what my doctor told me.

Best of luck,

Linda