Question: Help with MRI findings please. In pain. I had CES in L5S1 in sept 2012 surgery was delayed and I am left with foot drop I self catheterise. A partial but huge discectomy was done with some remaining disc. Re herniated and a fusion with cage, bone graft and plates February 2013. Never regained bladder control or use of left leg. MRI was performed because of increased pain, weakness and numbness. As well as the report I was sent an appointment for CT to assess movement of hardware. I am in a considerable amount of pain struggling to move or sleep and am worried because of previous Cauda Equina Syndrome. 60mg zomorph morning and night. Also Diazepam amytripiline severedol Here is the full scan report.

Clinical Details:

Cauda Equina since 2012 and lt sided weakness and foot drop
Now complaining of new symptoms of right sided weakness

?spinal cord injury

MRI Spine Lumbar/Sacral : There is metalwork in the L5 and S1 vertebral bodies, with sclerotic changes around the corresponding vertebral body endplates. Elsewhere, vertebral body and disc height is well-maintained and discs well hydrated.

There is a mild diffuse disc bulge at L3/4 extending slightly more to the left side, but no compression of thecal or exiting nerve roots. No significant thecal sac or nerve root compression is seen at L4/5. At the L5/S1 level, there is a central disc protrusion, just contacting ventral surface of thecal sac. On the T1-weighted images, there is some additional soft tissue around the left S1 nerve root within the lateral recess.