Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with a bulging disc in my lumbar , I went to physical therapy and the pain I was experiencing went away. However in the past three years I ve been having horrible sciatica pain in both my right and left sides. I ve done physical therapy with no avail which lead for my general doctor to have me get new imaging. My results of MRI showed that I have disc generation with small central disc protrusion indenting ventral thecal sac at L5-S1. What does this mean?
[|AI|]  Hi, Thank you for posting your query. As per the new MRI report, there is a disc bulge (mild) at L5-S1 level (lower back region), which is central in location, which is probably compressing nerves on both sides. This is a minor abnormality and no surgery is needed to correct it. In addition to physiotherapy, you require neuropathic pain medications, as you still have pain despite physical therapy. These medications include pregabalin or gabapentin.  Please discuss this with your doctor. Wishing you good health, Chat Doctor.