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  • eaduby
    Member
    Post count: 2

    Thank you for creating such a wonderful asset to patients and helping us to take control of our health. I came across your videos for looking at cervical spine MRIs on YouTube and over the past week I have looked throughout my images with much studying to learn what I am seeing to try and find the solution to why I am experiencing severe neck, shoulder, arm, and hand pain on the right side. The doctors are not seeing it and my pain management practice is being difficult when I ask them for help.

    I believe that there are indications of foraminal stenosis due to a C6-7 disc bulge. I have heard repeatedly that often standard MRI is not always good at finding this kind of ailment so it would make sense that it is not a glaring anomaly on the film but I do see the right side nerve exit is pinched a bit on this slice and the disc does appear to extend beyond the vertebrae in one view. Am I on the right path or just grasping for straws? Please take a look?

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    With two preselected images, it is somewhat difficult to accurately tell if you have foraminal stenosis but the axial image does indicate right sided stenosis. If you have symptoms of root compression (see “Conditions”, “Neck”, “Radiculopathy”) and you have failed conservative therapy, then a selective nerve root block could be both diagnostic and therapeutic (see “pain diary”).

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    eaduby
    Member
    Post count: 2

    Thank you so much for your quick response. I have been able to persuade them to do a nerve block in that area. I will be getting it done on Tuesday. I have already failed conservative therapy (PT, medications, tens unit, trigger point injections) and I do have symptoms of root compression. It is to the point now where the condition is disabling. I can’t brush my hair, cut my food, etc…

    Should I ask for a referral to a neurosurgeon if the nerve block is positive?

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    If you get good temporary relief (as noted under “pain diary”), then a referral to a spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon would be recommended.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
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