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  • Deboras
    Participant
    Post count: 10

    Hi. Please give me your impression on my MRI results, and should I see a spine specialist or ns

    There is multilevel loss of disc signal and disc narrowing c3-4 through t2-3 there is anterior and posterior spondylitis change at these levels

    At c3-4 broad based posterior spondylosis and right more than left facet degenerative change results in moderate right more than left side exit foraminal encroachment

    At c4-5 broad based posterior spondylosis change narrows the spinal canal midline sagittal dimension 8-9mm plus contributes to a pattern of moderate to marked right more than left side exit foraminal encroachment

    At c5-6 posterior spondylitis disc osteophyte complex is somewhat asymmetric right para central compared to left para central with cord flattening midline sagittal dimension of the canal 7mm there is marked right more than left side exit foraminal encrocroachment

    At c6-7 broad based posterior spondylitis change somewhat asymmetric left para central to foraminal with marked left more right side exit foraminal encroachment

    Impression. Multilevel spondylitis change with areas of spinal stenosis and exit foraminal encroachment. This is most severe at the c5-6 level

    Smptoms I have r pain on right side of neck. Shoulder , to down hand, my right arm sometimes falls asleep. To the point I have to pick it up to move it. I have lower back issues too m
    And my feet hurt especially in am hard to put down. Eases thru day. But when I flex my feet theres a pulling on both heels.

    I appreciate your help. Thank u. Debbie

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    MRI images normally have to be correlated with symptoms to make relevant findings but there are exceptions. Your arm pain most likely is from the foraminal stenosis at C5-6 (see website for more information). You also have foraminal stenosis at C4-5 and this could cause shoulder pain but won’t cause pain that radiates down to the hand. The C6-7 level also has “some” foraminal stenosis but the radiologist was not as impressed- at least by his wording.

    The exception that I was talking about is the significant narrowing of the central canal causing central stenosis (see website for that discussion). The radiologist measured 7mm as the diameter of your canal at C5-6. Minimum normal is 13mm so the canal is “tight”. This does put your spinal cord at some risk as an injury bending the head backwards can pinch the cord and cause injury.

    I think you need to see a spine specialist sooner than later.

    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.
    Deboras
    Participant
    Post count: 10

    Thank u dr for such a speedy response. I mad an appt with a neuro surgeon there aren’t any spine specialist in my ins plan.

    Does Coe
    Rd flatten mean the there is some pressing on the spinal cord already? Is this something that can be helped with physical therapy. Or is there a possibility I may need surgery to fix this issue. If so which surgery would u recc.

    I do have some weakness in my arm like when folding clothes n holding things. N the neck is bad ESP when I move it in a backward way. It’s been a problem for a few years. I contributed it to a shoulder injury I had dislocated years back and had surgery to fix it. I also thought that was cause of tingly feeling in right arm and hand. There are occasions when my left hand is swollen when I wake up .

    Once again I thank u for such a great website. I’m sure u have helped many a people with sinal issues. Debbie

    Deboras
    Participant
    Post count: 10

    That was supposto say. Does cord flattening. Sry

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Cord flattening does mean cord compression. I cannot comment on the need for surgery but the MRI report does worry me. The surgery that is needed depends upon your symptoms, physical examination and imaging including X-rays and MRI.

    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.
    Deboras
    Participant
    Post count: 10

    Hey dr corenman. I saw a neurosurgeon today. He recommended me to take muscle relaxers an antiinflamatorys. And to do 6 weeks of physical therapy. And also made me an appointment with a dr who is a physiatrist for possible injections. Your opinion please should I get a second opinion of this or would this seem like normal procedure. I have since had episodes of my leg getting tingling and a burning feeling . My entire back and neck r in spasms daily. Thank you for your help in advance.

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