Concept2 Forum

Hey guys,

Recently got an MRI report which gave this conclusion: L5/S1 Minor Annular Broad Bulge associated with a grade 3-4 annular tear. I was wondering if anyone could basically explain this in words I could understand and give a statement as to whether or not this could be the cause of my back pain which is mostly situated on my left side but occasionally the right. How long do these tears take to heal, best treatment, etc!

Thanks guys!

Surely you should go back to those that provided your MRI scan? Or to your GP and quiz him/her (and get a referral if you doubt their knowledge - they don't know everything about everything so do a little research yourself first and make a judgement).

Matt, I don't run this joint so my post could essentially be disregarded. However, you have been asking random strangers for medical opinions, putting up questions about your training that inspite of yourself often do lead to good conversations . Essentially posting and reposting the same sort of questions on the same topic in several threads.

The people who initially responded to your questions have now stopped, having figured out that you are doing this for your own particular reasons. Maybe they will come to this thread to tell you the same things that they have already told you. That would be fun.
You are now getting other random strangers to offer their opinion.
Having exhausted the patience of the first batch, you are now running through the second.

YOu may be looking for that one person who continued training after having a horrendous ( back ) injury (*1), with or without further damage. You may be looking for that one person who was short , slightly built, and who has a back injury who perservered in spite of it all. and who is irresponsible enough to tell you to ignore all medical advice and give it everything you got so that you can row at an elite level at university.

I am not trying to offend you or anyone. I am trying to point out that your method of info extraction /advice is counter productive and may be harmful.

note *
1. I am not saying that your injury is horrendous. I am not making any comment on your specific injury.

As someone who was diagnosed with a minor to moderate "bulge" I can say that the lay term for this is a disc protrusion. I'm not sure about the annular tear in your situation, but in mine the protrusion stopped just short of a full herniation. Regardless, it caused nerve compression that shut off muscles across my upper back and arm that took months to come back on-line. When the nerve compression finally backed off I was faced with excruciating nerve pain through the entire tract that persisted for months, followed by months again of rehab to rebuild the muscles and to achieve some resemblance of stability in my neck and upper back.

Stay on your family doctor for detailed information and direction, then follow the direction given. At the time I feared a life-long disabling outcome, which can happen for many, but I got a bit lucky and can now exercise again etc. Had I kept riding my off-road motorcycle and not attended physio regularly I expect the outcome could have been different. I miss having a bike though... but the thought of injuring my neck again is enough to never go back to it.