<human>: Got an MRI with the ff impression: Diffuse disc bulges at the level of L3/L4 down to L5/S1, resulting to anterior thecal sac indentation and varying degrees of bilateral neural foraminal narrowing Right paracentral annular tear L5/S1 Minimal soft tissue edema , right gluteal region Any idea what the next steps are? My aunt is in the Philippines and I really don t trust a lot of people there...thank you!
<bot>: Hello, Thanks for the query, I will tell you that the MRI findings need to be correlated with clinical data.  Further one must note the clinical context in which the MRI was done. I feel that it was done for back and/or leg pain in your case. If you have clinical signs of nerve compression, then the options will be to go for surgical treatment. If there are no clinical signs of nerve damage, then conservative management with either Gabapentin, pregabalin and physiotherapy will suffice. Please donor worry about the MRI findings. I suggest you to get clinically evaluated by a neurologist. Hope this clarifies your query Best wishes