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Old 03-09-2013, 08:27 PM
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Leesa Leesa is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,424
15 yr Member
Leesa Leesa is offline
Senior Member
Leesa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,424
15 yr Member
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Let's see if I can help:

Straightening of the cervical curvature, means that your neck isn't as curved as it should be. That can be caused by a number of things, one being spasms.

Degenerative disc narrowing at C5-6 & C6-7. Ok, degenerative disc disease means that the discs are drying out. When they dry out, they flatten and that causes them to bulge out/herniate. When they flatten, that leaves more space between the vertebra, so the upper vertebra "sinks" down toward the one below cause there's nothing holding it up. So we become shorter!!! Small pre-vertebral osteophytes present -- this means you have bone spurs.

C3-4 Mild diffuse disc bulging. Uncinate process spurring -- this means bone spurs with a hook at the end. Moderate right neural foraminal stenosis. Foraminal stenosis -- the foramen are the holes that the nerves go thru to get to the spinal cord - Stenosis means that those holes are getting narrow.

C4-5 Mild diffuse disc bulging. Mild facet degeneration. The facets are the "wing like" structures on each side of the spinal cord. You can feel them if you hunch your back over. Uncinate spurring (see above) and foraminal stenosis (see above)

C5-6 Mild diffuse disc bulge larger in paracentral region. Mild central canal stenosis. This means the spinal canal is getting narrow. Mild to moderate spinal canal deformity greater on the left. Uncinate spurring (see above)
Marked left foraminal stenosis (see above)

C6-7 Mild diffuse disc bulge. Mild spinal canal deformity but relative (I don't recognize this next word Patencyor) central canal. If it is patency or, I can understand.
He states it might be associated with hypertrophy, which is excessive development of an organ or bone or ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. There is a LONG-drawn out explanation of that. But what it is basically (very basic) is the process of bone formation that segregates & deposits inorganic bone substances.

You should take this MRI to a Neurosurgeon and get an opinion. Then if he suggests surgery, you should get AT LEAST 2 MORE opinions. Never give the OK to surgery without 3 opinions!!! Once you have surgery, you can't "undo" it. And surgery is NOT for pain. Surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. After surgery you will have the same pain or worse. And you will need pain medications too. So be sure what you're doing is the right thing. The only way i would have surgery (more surgery) is if I were in danger of permanent nerve damage or if my spinal cord was being impinged. So get some opinions. Since i'm not a doctor, I can't give you any opinion, but I AM concerned about your spinal cord. So be sure you see a Neurosurgeon -- NOT a Neurologist, but a NeuroSURGEON .

Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee
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recovering alcoholic, sober since 7-29-93;severe depression; 2 open spinal surgeries; severe sciatica since 1986; epidurals; trigger points; myelograms; Rhizotomy; Racz procedure; spinal cord stimulator implant (and later removal); morphine pump trial (didn't work);now inoperable; lumpectomy; radiation; breast cancer survivor; heart attack; fibromyalgia; on disability.



Often the test of courage is not to die, but to live..
.................................................. ...............Orestes
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