Hello all! It's been a few months since I posted and would like some help with a new MRI I just had done a few days ago. I had the C4-5 and C6-7 levels done with cadaver bones and hardware on September 5. When I woke up, the pain, tingling on the left side were gone, and eventually the numbness subsided. The C5-6 disc was bulging but not ruptured, so the surgeon did not remove it. Of course, I had the mid-back pain from shoulder to shoulder for quite some time. About 5 or six weeks after the surgery, I started experiencing some major pain on the right side. There is no numbness or tingling involved and the pain is different from what I experienced before my surgery. It's not constant and I have brief intervals without pain throughout the day. The pain involves my right shoulder blade, shoulder and my arm. The pain ranges from mild to severe. The doctor ordered another mri. I'm going to type the whole thing out. I understand the fused levels are good, but I need some input on the interpretation of C5-6.

At C4-5 there has been interval fusion. There has been significant decrease in the size of the disc osteophyte complex. Only mild canal narrowing is currently evident.

At C5-6, there is a post-fusion change. There is a diffuse disc osteophyte complex which causes mild to moderate central canal and right foraminal narrowing. The degree of central and right foraminal is unchanged from the preoperative study.

At C6-7, there are post-fusion changes. Previously seen right paracentral disc osteophyte complex is no longer evident. There is no significant canal or foraminal narrowing seen.

Impression:

Status post anterior plate and screw fusion from C-4 through C-7. The appearances of of C4-5 and C6-7 have improved. At C-5-6, there is persistent central canal narrowing with right foraminal narrowing unchanged from the pre-op study.

The reason I am asking for an explanation is because I do not see my doctor again for almost two months! He won't be in the office. Do you think I would have to have surgery again or is there some other alternative treatment that would help with the pain? I appreciate any insight from the group.

Beckel