[Maria-Stef]

#35924

FINDINGS: OSSEOUS STRUCTURES: There is straightening of the cervical lordosis without subluxation. Facets are aligned. Vertebral body heights are maintained. Bone marrow signal is unremarkable.
SPINAL CANAL: The cervical spinal cord is not expanded. No cord signal abnormality.
POSTERIOR FOSSA: The visualized contents of the posterior fossa are unremarkable. The cerebellar tonsils are appropriately positioned.
SOFT TISSUES: The prevertebral and paraspinous soft tissues are unremarkable. Major arterial flow voids in the neck are preserved.
DISC SPACES:
C1-C2: Normal atlantodental and atlantoaxial articulations. No spinal canal narrowing.
C2-C3: No disc herniation or disc-osteophyte complex. No spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
C3-C4: No disc herniation or disc-osteophyte complex. No spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.
C4-C5: Broad-based central disc protrusion somewhat asymmetric to the right. There is minimal flattening of the right ventral cord, and mild associated spinal canal narrowing. Right uncovertebral hypertrophy. Mild right foraminal narrowing. No left foraminal narrowing.
C5-C6: Disc osteophyte complex with superimposed left subarticular disc herniation. Mild spinal canal narrowing with minimal flattening of the left ventral cord. No significant foraminal narrowing.
C6-C7: No disc herniation. No spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing. C7-T1: No disc herniation or disc-osteophyte complex. Bilateral facet arthropathy. No spinal canal or foraminal narrowing. Visualized portion of the upper thoracic spine (included on sagittal images): No high-grade spinal canal or neural foraminal narrowing.

How bad is it? Is my spinal cord being compressed? I have constant headaches and neck pain. Clumsiness and weakness in my extremities. I’ve completed 2 epidural rounds with no success. Should I get surgery?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35925

What does your examination demonstrate? Do you have long-tract signs such as Hoffman’s, hyperreflexia, clonus, Babinski’s, Rhomberg’s, incoordination or motor weakness?

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.

[Maria-Stef]

#35926

Physical examination looks okay, no visible signs of neurological impact other than the clumsiness in my extremities.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35927

If your examination demonstrates no neurological defects, your reading notes only “mild” findings which is generally considered not too significant and the radiologist notes “No cord signal abnormality”, I think you are currently “OK” on spinal cord compression but keep an eye on it.

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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