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First I’d like to thank you for putting your videos on youtube to explain the neck and MRI of the neck. After comparing my MRI to the healthy MRI that you showed; I was concerned there was more of a problem then the “specialist” said.

I am a 47 yr. old female; and in pretty good health besides a slow thyroid problem that I have had for about 15 years. Blood work is good, etc.
I have been having severe neck pain radiating into my shoulders for several months now. I went last month for the MRI of the whole spine but was more concerned with the pain in my neck.
Here are the results of the MRI on the MR Cervical Spine W/O

Reason: Severe lumbar cervical radiculopathy back pain scoliosis

Clinical indication: Severe lumbar and cervical radiculopathy.
Technique: Routine multiplanar, multisequence imaging was performed of the cervical spine without contrast.

Findings: The cervical vertebral bodies maintain normal height and alignment and signal intensity without pathologic marrow infiltration. There is normal appearance of the craniovertebral junction and normal signal throughout the substance of the cervical spinal cord. Level by level findings are as follows.

C2-C3: No significant disease.

C3-C4: There is a mild left para-central disc osteophyte complex resulting in left greater than right-sided neural foraminal narrowing and cannot exclude nerve root impingement on the left. There is no central canal stenosis.

C4-C5: There is moderate left-sided facet joint degenerative changes which narrows the left-sided neural foramen and cannot exclude nerve root impingement on the left. There is a mild disc osteophyte complex also present. There is no central canal stenosis.

C5-C6: There is a small broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex resulting in mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing but no nerve root impingement. No central canal stenosis.

C6-C7: There is a mild posterior disc osteophyte complex resulting in mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing but there is no root impingement. No central canal stenosis.

I have been to a chiropractor (before the MRI was done and after); he could not get my neck to manipulate except for one time and it felt like one bone on either side “popped”; after that he didn’t want to adjust me any longer because it caused more pain.

I have been to my doctor who ordered the MRI and after he read the results I was sent to a Neurosurgeon. This particular doctor first ask me to move my head forward; then backward; and then side to side. I did the movement forward and backward, and told him I could not move side to side without pain. He then told me after looking at the MRI images and reading the results that he was a Surgeon and not a general practitioner; and that he only could help me if I needed surgery. He then ask me to walk across the room; and sit on the table where he checked my reflexes in my arms and knees. Not once did he touch my neck, and he also apparently didn’t read my paperwork because he had no idea that I was familiar with surgery. Not on my neck but just in general. While he was telling me he was a Surgeon that is when I told him I had several surgeries in the past (7 in all); that’s when he ask me “On what”? When I ask him about going back to work, he ask me what I did for a living. That was also in my paper work. (my line of work was cleaning residential homes and offices) He told me that it was arthritis and I needed pain management.
I went to an acupuncturist, tried moist heat, ice packs, and even narcotics. It hurts 24-7 and this doctor made me feel as if I was crazy. The only thing that seems to help is if I take something that helps me sleep, then I can’t feel the pain. (which isn’t good)
My doctor got the results back from the Neurosurgeon and his nurse told me on the phone that I could probably go back to work. I told her; how could I possibly go back to work when I was in so much pain? That is when she set up a follow up appointment. I have that appointment tomorrow; but I’m wondering if I should get an EMG test?

Please help; I haven’t worked since the end of the year and it is effecting my mental health now. I still have a 15 year old daughter at home and I am a single mom. Thank you and God Bless!

To start I do have degenerative disk disease which runs in my family but my physical characterists do not support why I have this issue other than it could run in my family. I have a torn disk with a hole within my disk between my L4 and L5, which occurred Feb 8th plus I have a bulging disk between my L5 and S1. I have had two epidural shots to help alleviate the pain and I have had very temporary benefits and I have a severe allergy to narcotics so I get no real relief from the pain in my back and now both of my legs have sciatic pain which includes numbness in my toes but as of yet I have not lost strength, but I have and a new symptoms begin or at least I think its related, the area from my tailbone to my front side tingles, I also have more intense pain shoot down both legs so when that happens I almost lose my balance. What should I do because the last time I spoke to my doctor he said I am too young to do surgery but I don’t know how much more of this I can take?

Dear Dr. Corenman,

I saw your video on Youtube and I am here trying to find some help. Thanks in advance! Recently I have been suffering from back and leg pain for a month and I am seriously worried about it. I went to see the doctor and he recommended me physical therapy, but I don’t see sign of improvement…I actually feel it is developing… Here is how things happen: (as brief as I can)

Background: 23 years old, no accident, was perfectly healthy until…

[Start] Went to gym, tried some waist/leg exercises I didn’t do before, felt exhausted.

[+1 days] Started to feel pain and sting on right outer thigh, especially when walking.

[+4 days] Went to see doctor. Leg raise positive. Reflexes and muscle strength normal. Naproxen proscribed.

[+5 days] Started to feel pain on right calf, and the area behind the knee.

[+6 days] Started to feel stiff back.

[+8 days] In rare cases sting and pain on left leg.

[+12 days] Obvious pain on spine (lumbar area) when bending forward. Lower back pain started. Pain on hip and the right front thigh.

[+15 days] X-rayed. Perfect spine, according to the doctor.

[+20 days] Physical therapist gave me some exercises to do at home and told me to avoid bending.

[+25 days] Good news: No leg pain and sting for most of the time.

[+30 days] Developed CONSTANT SORENESS ON THIGH, CALF, KNEE AND EVEN ANKLE OF BOTH LEGS. Also, stiff back remains. I can’t bend forward because it causes pain in the back. Piriformis and hamstrings very tight, according to therapist.

I honestly don’t know if I am getting better or worse. The good side is that I no longer feel obvious pain and sting, I just have soreness now. But the bad side is the symptom seems to spread, from right outer thigh, to the whole right leg, back, hip, left thigh, left calf, and finally both legs.

Should I be worried about this? I am a student and I am seeing doctors from the university health services. They didn’t find the exact cause but they said it is usually not a big deal for young people. They did x-rayed me but they said it was perfect. But for me I don’t believe it could take so long to recover. It is now more of a mental burden to me… My father even scared me over the telephone: “I hope it’s not bone cancer!”

Someone mentioned that it could be spondylolithesis(I don’t remember the spell…). Someone suggest me asking for extension/flexion x-ray, CT, MRI or EMG… I have an appointment next week, but I am thinking maybe I should see another doctor earlier… Any suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Sir,

I am 48 years old house wife. Following are the observations in the MRI report.

I have Hypointense signals in all lumbar, dorsal and cervical intervertebral discs on T2WI. (S/O degeneration).

Posterior disc bulge noted at L4-5 and L5-6 causing indentation over thecal sac and bilateral neural foramina more at L5-S1;

Posterior disc bulge noted at C3-4 to C5-6 causing indentation over thecal sac and cord.

I am having severe pain on my back. Please suggest me the precautions to be taken for relief.

Regards.