[dggeelong]

#22132

My GP says my pain is psychosomatic.

A neurosurgeon says the pain won’t stop concentration etc…
C2-3 A left paracentral annular tear, with minor effacement of theanterior aspect of the thecal sac by uncovtebral spondylosis – no cord contact. There is osteophytic encroachment on the left C3 neural exit foramen, but no impingement on either C3 nerve.
C3-4 level there is central canal stenosis and compression of the cord resulting primarily from uncovertebral spondylosis [the AP dimension of the spinal canal is reduced to less than 5mm at this level. There is osteophytic encroachment on the C4 neural exit foramen bilaterally, with probable impingement on the C4 nerves bilaterally more particularly on the left side.
C4-5 level there is central canal and lateral recess stenosis resulting primarily from uncovertebral spondylosis with reduction in the AP dimension of the spinal canal to less than 5mm. Osteophytic encroachment on the C5 neural exit foramen is demonstrated bilaterally, with probable impingement on the emerging C5 nerves demonstrated bilaterally.
C5-6 level there is effacement of the anterior aspect of the thecal sac by uncovertebral spondylosis, with flattening of the anterior aspect of the cord demonstrated. There is Osteophytic encroachment on the C6 neural exit foramen bilaterally more prominently on the left than on the right, with possible impingement on the left C6 nerve.
C6-7 level there is uncovertebral spondylosis effacing the anterior aspect of the thecal sac but not contacting the cord. There is Osteophytic encroachment on the C7 neural exit foramen bilaterally, but no definite impingement on the emerging C7 nerves shown on either side.
C7-T1 level there is mild effacement of the anterior aspect of the thecal sac but no contact made on the cord. The C8 nerves emerge bilaterally without impingement.
The spinal cord although compressed as described returns normal signal intensity, with no features of cord oedema or myelomalacia present. The craniocervical junction is normally located above the level of the foramen magnum.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#22135

You don’t define what your pain is. See the section regarding how to describe symptoms to fully convey what your symptoms are.

Your pain is most likely not psychosomatic. You have real degenerative changes and these can cause symptoms. The neurosurgeon cannot tell you the pain is not strong enough to impair concentration as he is not living in your shoes.

In fact, if you saw a neurosurgeon and he ignored the fact that you have a 5mm canal at C3-4 compressing the cord (the minimum canal diameter that is normal is 13mm), you need another neurosurgeon. This is a serious narrowing and to ignore this is concerning.

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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