I'll try to explain it:

C4-5 You have a disc bulge of 10mm--quite big. There is mild right foraminal stenosis. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord. Stenosis means narrowing. So the foramen is narrowing.

C5-6 You have a diffuse disc bulge, and also a central disc herniation which wipes out the front aspect of the cord. You have a bone-spurring process that tends to "hook," plus there is SEVERE right foraminal stenosis (see above)

C6-7 You have a diffuse disc bulge of 8-9mm. You have a "hooking" process of bone spurring with significant right foraminal stenosis (see above)

There is NO DOUBT that you have pain!! But do NOT jump into surgery, please!!! Before you agree to ANY surgery, take your MRI and get at LEAST 2 other opinions from NEUROSURGEONS (NOT neurologists!!) You must have more opinions on this as this is a very serious operation. Any time you're dealing with a spinal operation, it's Serious!!!

If all 3 surgeons agree that surgery is necessary, then I guess it is. But if even one suggests that physical therapy be tried FIRST, go for it. In this country too many spinal surgeries are being done, when physical therapy would have given the SAME RESULTS. Latest studes HAVE shown that people who have had spinal surgery ended up with the SAME results as people who have had physical therapy. Now that just shows us that surgeons are all too ready to operate!!!

Plus there is the danger of the "Domino Effect." This happens more often than not. This is where the levels above/below fail, because they've had to take on more of the load -- the doctors never tell you about this. And also, surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. It is NOT for pain. Most of the time, you're left with the same pain after surgery that you had before or even worse. So don't expect pain relief. You MIGHT be lucky, but most of us aren't.

I wish you the very best. If you have further questions, go to the "Spinal Disorders" forum and post them there. You'll get more replies there. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee