I am a 63 year old,, while working I fell backwards with alot of force, injured my neck,,this happened 10/23/12. I was taken off work and ordered 6 physical therapy sessions in 2 weeks and in my opinion the PT made my neck worse.
I was the ordered to have a Cervical Mri. The work comp Dr totally confused me and the next step is to see a Neuro Surgeon. Waiting for a referral. I have pain with activity and walking up and down stairs seems to really bring the pain on. In the evening I seem to have pain no matter what I did during the day. The work comp Dr said that I probably had most of the finding on the Mri before the fall....?????? I asked him where the pain was coming from and he didnt answer.
This is the first MRI I have had in my life,,,I am very concerned,,

Impression
1) C2-3 There is a 3mm disc bulge at this level with a high-intensity zone centrally.This is mildly effacing the ventral CSF space w/o central canal or neural foraminal stenosis.
2)C3-4 There is a 2mm disc osteophyte complex with a superimposed broad based 1mm central disc protrusion.There is effacement of the ventral CSF space.There is mild spinal canal stenosis.This disc osteophyte complex contains an eccentric component extending into the left intraforaminal region. There is mild to moderate left sided neural foraminal stenosis w/o right foraminal stenosis.
3)C4-5 There is a 3mm disc osteophyte complex with a high-intensity zone centrally.This is effacing the ventral CSF space and contacting the anterior margin of the spinal cord.There is moderate to severe spinal stenosis w/o neural stenosis.
4) C5-6 There is a 2mm disc osteophyte complex with a superimposed broad-based 4mm disc protrusion situated within the left lateral recess and intraforaminal region. There is moderate to severe spinal canal stenosis, moderate to severe left lateral recess narrowing, and moderate to severe left sided neural foraminal stenosis. There is also right sided unconvertebral hypertrophy with mild to moderate right sided neural foraminal stenosis.
5) C6-7 There is a 2mm disc osteophyte complex with slight effacement of ventral CSF space and mild to moderate spinal canal stenosis. There is bilateral unconvertebral enlargement and facet disease causing mild to moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosing.

***I have tried to research the above,,it just doesnt make sense to me. The work comp Dr tried to say that most of this is age related****
It seems like alot to me. For the last 27 years I have been driving an 18 wheeler and I really dont want to think that I need to retire. Could someone tell me if all of the above is normal for a 63 year old woman. I have actually been very healthy and I have taken excellent care of myself ****
I appreciate any help or comments,,,,,Annie