“Back problem more serious than normal aging?”
Hello. I am 53 years old, female, and until recently mildly active. I went to my primary care provider with extreme weakness in my legs, pain in my legs when standing, loss of bowel and bladder control, numbness in my crotch area and feet. These symptoms began about a month ago and have worsened to the point that I now lie down most of the day to relieve the pain.
My PCP did not do a physical exam but did order a lumbar x-ray. The findings were "3 mm retrolisthesis of L1 on L2. 5 mm retrolisthesis of L2 on L3. There are endplate degenerative changes with endplate osteophytes which are most conspicuous at L1-L2 and L2-L3. No acute fracture or compression fracture. There are facet joint degenerative changes which are most conspicuous at L4-5 and L5-S1"
My PCP told me that these were normal signs of aging, and instructed me to get more physical activity and return in 10 days for follow-up.
Is this really normal?
My PCP did not do a physical exam but did order a lumbar x-ray. The findings were "3 mm retrolisthesis of L1 on L2. 5 mm retrolisthesis of L2 on L3. There are endplate degenerative changes with endplate osteophytes which are most conspicuous at L1-L2 and L2-L3. No acute fracture or compression fracture. There are facet joint degenerative changes which are most conspicuous at L4-5 and L5-S1"
My PCP told me that these were normal signs of aging, and instructed me to get more physical activity and return in 10 days for follow-up.
Is this really normal?
Female | 53 years old
Complaint duration: 1 month
1 Answer
You may need to get a CT scan to evaluate for a bulging or slipped disc... Sounds like "cauda equina" syndrome which isn't evaluated with x-ray.... You need CT with contrast or MRI. No that's not normal aging...
