[Glenn]

#27372

Hello,
I am confused by my back mri. This is what it says but what does it mean for me moving forward.

Dated Feb 2015:

Sagittal t-2 weighted and axial medic T-2 weighted sequences of the cervical thoracic and lumbar sacral spine were performed.

The C2-3 levels unremarkable.

At C3-4 there is a small central disc protrusion without evidence of spinal canal or foraminal compromise.

The C4-5 levels are unremarkable.

At C5-6 there is a large left paracentral disc protrusion just approaching and flattening the left anterior lateral aspect of the spinal cord. The exit foramina are well maintained. There is thickening o the posterior longitudinal ligament inferior to the disc level until C6-7.

At C6-7 there is a shallowly left posterior lateral disc protrusion and uncinate process osteophytes causing mild left C7 foraminal narrowing . The left anteaspect of the spinal cord is approached and mildly flattened.

The spinal cord signal is normal throughout. In spite of the spinal cord flattening due to the described as C5-6 and C6-7 disc protrusions no significant central spinal stenosis is evident in the Sagittal plane.

The thoracic spine demonstrates no significant abnormality. There is mild increased CSF in the posterior aspect of the spinal canal between T6-T10 likely merely related to a dorsal arachnold cysts, a normal variant. No significant spinal cord compression is evident.

The lumbar sacral spine demonstrates a reduction in T2 signal intensity of the L5-S1 disc. There is a posterior annular tear and shallow central central disc protrusion at L5-S1 without associated S1 root compression.

The central spinal canal diameter is well maintained. There is no evidence of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Impression:
Degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine as described.

At the time of the mri, my left leg gave out on me while walking, my leg reflexes were through the roof, I had tingling and other odd sensations.

Today, 3+ years later, I am still off work. Just sitting down and typing for the last 15 minutes I am in terrible pain Down the left side of my body even though I took my pain medication about an hour ago. I have a lump on my left back thats alongside the spinal column but no one seems to care. All my pain is on the left side of my body and that hasn’t changed since day 1.

Thoughts?

Thank you in advance,
Glenn

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#27378

First, you might need a new cervical MRI based upon the original report and your “left leg gave out on me while walking, my leg reflexes were through the roof, I had tingling and other odd sensations”. You certainly need a thorough history and physical examination,

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.

[Glenn]

#27381

Thank you for the reply.

I have seen approximately 6 doctors in the last 3 years. The above report was issued to my neurosurgeon. His diagnosis was that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

I was seeing a muscular skeletal specialist for an extended amount of time. Well that was until at one of my appointments I timed how long he spent with me. It was 15 seconds!! Then he promptly tells me to come back in 3 weeks. That went on for way too long so I stopped going.

I went to a supposed pain specialist who told me to stop at a store on my way home and pick up one of those long handled back massagers and beat the crap out of my back every hour of the day until my next appointment.

There were a couple more who said they couldn’t help me. A nerve specialist says it’s muscular, a muscular specialist says it’s nerve related.

I saw a physiotherapist for a couple of years and he said it was a nerve issue. This therapist was a instructor, wort with pro sport teams, Olympic athletes and knows his stuff. He stated that the lump on my back was being triggered by the nerve protecting itself. Forgive me for not knowing all the technical terms.

I try sitting at a desk and after 15-20 minutes my back spasms uncontrollably. If I drive for more than 30 minutes the same thing happens.

The pain and spasms are always on the left side of my spine. I am trying to get into a pain clinic where I live but it’s a 2+ years wait.

I know you can’t make a diagnosis based on what I have said here but is there something I am missing or should be doing to get help?

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