MRI - bulging disc - cause of ongoing pain?

[kjs81]

Hi, I’ve had issues with pelvic, back and sciatic pain for a few years. I recently had a pelvic MRI to check for endometriosis. It didn’t show any, but an incidental finding was “mild posterior bulging of the L5-S1 disc”.

Could this be causing my lower back, hip and sciatic pain? It comes and goes - I can usually manage with ibuprofen and heat pads, but when it’s been particularly bad I’ve taken amitripyline in the past.

I have a GP appointment in late January to discuss what I should do about it, but hoping for advice before then! I’m late 30s, fairly active and healthy otherwise. Thanks!

[cyberbarn]

when MRIs were first used for those with back pain, they found that loads of people had things like bulging disks and assumed that was causing the pain so they fixed them. But the pain didn't go away.

So then a bright spark suggested that they look at those without back pain to see what their backs looked like and low and behold, they found that most people of a certain age also had the same things show up on an MRI!

So while it could be what is causing your pain, equally it might not be.

[Emma2017]

Yes it could be. But as it is only slightly bulging the chances are it’s not. Have you got the report? The bulge needs to press on the passing nerve for symptoms like sciatica to become present. Sciatica can also be there because of a piriformis syndrome which will give similar symptoms but not usually below the knee. Exercises can often rectify this syndrome. Also exercises can help push the bulging disc back in line. A physio can help you with this.

[Hidden in reply to Emma2017]

Hi , are you a Dr by any chance you seem to be very well educated in medical issues . X

[Emma2017 in reply to Hidden]

Hahaha yeah just like you. You are more educated about the upper spine though aren’t you. Cheeky