My spine surgeon gave me my diagnosis after first having me undergo X-Rays, an MRI, and a CT scan.
He told me that my problems were concentrated around my L4-L5-S1 vertebrae.
My L4 vertebra was fractured/chipped (Spondylolysis) and it was also crooked/jammed downward and forward onto the vertebra beneath it (Spondylolithesis).
So, for clarity’s sake, in just a few words, Spondylolysis is a fractured vertebra and Spondylolithesis is when it’s jammed downward/out-of-place.
So, that’s all pretty bad, but I had some additional problems: Two herniated discs. So, in layman’s terms, a herniated disc means that…okay, the disc is the structure that exists between two vertebra. When the disc herniates, the squishy inner part is now pushing through a crack in the disc. Let’s just say: this isn’t good! The disc herniation can press-up against nerves and cause a lot of pain. This was my situation. The disc between the L4 and L5 vertebrae was herniated. And the disc between L5 and S1 was also herniated.
But, wait! There’s more!
I also had spinal stenosis. So, in layman’s terms, spinal stenosis means a narrowing of the space in your spine. This is not good because pressure can be put on your nerves in the regions causing pain. And, when I say pain…I mean A LOT OF PAIN!
So, to summarize: I had two herniated discs, a narrowed spine, and a vertebra that was broken and jammed out of alignment. And, a tremendous amount of PAIN. Did I mention the pain? Did I mention the misery?