Annular disruption with a broad based disc bulge and a focal paracentral disc protrusion

Today after a reasonable day at work, and a nice night at the in-laws, I arrived home to find a letter from the hospital. It was the results of my MRI. The letter was very scary, it told me that I had annular disruption with a broad based disc bulge and a focal paracentral disc protrusion. I had no idea what this meant.

Thankfully my father is well versed in anatomy and physiology and he was able to break it down for me. I have bulging cartilage in my lower back which is causing compression of my nerves and in turn causing not only my back pain but also potentially my knee pain.

It amazes me that the NHS would send a letter with this much jargon in it. I mean they could have sent me an appointment and explained it too me face to face. No wonder we don't have faith in the health service.

I will be making an appointment with my GP, and I will be asking 2 questions. What does it mean? And how do we treat it?

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant