zookriz

Hi Dr. Corenman,
I made an appointment for a neurosurgeon in Pittsburgh on the 25th of June. I hope I can hold out until then, my problems seem to be getting worse by the day.
I am currently taking Meloxicam 15 mg daily, Methocarbam 500 mg 3X day, and Tylenol 1000 mg 3 x daily. Why is this providing no relief?
These were prescribed by a rheumatologist.
I also woke up in April with bilateral knee pain and swelling. My knees are not overall swollen but have 4 – 5 pouches of swelling in different areas. None of the medication is helping that problem either.
Can my knee problems be lower spine related or is it most likely just knee problems?
A guess a former skier, horseback rider, dancer, volleyball player and overall active gal is going to have issues. I’m in my early 40’s.
Thanks for your time.

Here is a copy of my three reports.
FINDINGS: There is no fracture or subluxation. There is mild flattening and desiccation of the
intravertebral disc at C5-6 and C6-7. There is no significant cerebellar tonsillar ectopia. The craniocervical
junction is unremarkable. Retropharyngeal soft tissues are not thickened. Paravertebral soft tissues are
unremarkable.
At the C5-6 level there is a left far lateral disc protrusion with only mild foraminal narrowing. There does not
appear to be significant encroachment upon the exiting left C6 nerve root.
At C6-7 there is a posterior/central disc protrusion resulting in a ventral epidural defect. There is only mild central
canal narrowing at C6-7.
CONCLUSION:
1. Mild degenerative disc disease at C5-6 and C6-7 as described above
2. Left far lateral disc protrusion at C5-6 with mild foraminal narrowing
3. Posterior/central disc protrusion at C6-7 with mild central canal narrowing but no significant foraminal
Compromise
FINDINGS: The alignment is anatomic. There is straightening and reversal of the normal lordosis which
could be the basis of muscle spasm or positioning. There is no fracture or subluxation. There
is no significant degenerative change. The prevertebral soft tissues are unremarkable. The
odontoid is normal. C1 aligns normally on C2. The neural foramina are patent at all levels.
CONCLUSION: Straightening of the normal lordosis which could be on the basis of muscle spasm or
positioning.
Otherwise unremarkable cervical spine.
FINDINGS: AP, lateral, AP open mouth odontoid, and both oblique x-ray
views of the cervical spine were obtained. There is some
straightening of the usual cervical lordosis which can be seen with
muscle spasm. No acute fracture, vertebral compression,
spondylolisthesis, or intervertebral disc space narrowing is seen.
The prevertebral soft tissues, the odontoid, the facet joints, and
the spinous processes are unremarkable. The neural foramina are
patent. There is normal alignment of the atlantoaxial joints between
C1 and C2.
CONCLUSION: THERE IS SOME STRAIGHTENING OF THE USUAL CERVICAL LORDOSIS.
THE EXAMINATION IS OTHERWISE UNREMARKABLE.

Thanks