I have been having problems with my left arm for a few years now and it has finally gotten to the point where I am unable to open a bottle of water. I have done physical therapy, strength training for my neck and back, pain meds that I hate taking, steroids both orally and injected in my neck. Last year the "pain specialist" wanted to burn off the nerve roots. I refused. I had another MRI last week (my 4th since 2008) and just got the results.
Findings:
There is straightening of the cervical lordosis. Preferential tissues normal. Cerebellar tonsils are normally situated.
C2-3 and C3-4: Normal
C4-5: Annular bulge. No central or foramina stenosis
C5-6: Moderate to marked right foramina narrowing by disc osteophyte complex. Posterior disc osteophyte complex indents the spinal cord. Left neural foramen is mildly stenosis.
C6-7: Left central protrusion contacts the spinal cord and anterior rootlets. Protrusion spares the left neural foramen. Moderate right for animal narrowing by uncinate spurring.
C7-T1: Small left central protrusion without impingement. Foramina are adequately patent.
T1-2: Annular bulge. No significant central or foramina stenosis.
T2-3: Disc bulge and mild right uncinate spurring. No significant central or foramina stenosis.
T3-4: Normal
I just celebrated my 50th birthday and was told by the "pain specialist" to chalk it up to old age and arthritis. My guts tells me that this isn't true, I'm apprehensive about my upcoming appointment with this man.. I want to ask for a second opinion. The loss of feeling is getting worse now effecting my walking. I hurt to sit, stand out lay for any length of time. Is this something I must learn to live with? Someone help my understand what is happening in layman's terms please. It would be most appreciated. I'm running out of coffee mugs and the laundry is piling up.