Maybe I can help a little:

C2-3 Disc space narrowing with broad based disc spur producing moderate encroachment of left C2-3 foramen. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord -- yours are narrowing due to the disc spurs.

C3-4 Broad based annular bulge with disc bone spurs bilaterally resulting in moderate to SEVERE bilateral foraminal stenosis (see above) without herniation.

C4-5 Moderate left posterolateral bone spur formation producing moderate to SEVERE left foraminal stenosis (see above) . The left side of spinal cord appears flattened.

C5-6 Disc space is moderately narrowed and anterior bone spur formation as well as endplate degenerative changes. The endplates are the axon of a motor neuron that contacts with a muscle fiber; A broad based bone spur formation is present slightly greater to the right than the left. The right foraminal stenosis is SEVERE, the left foraminal stenosis is moderate to severe; There is indentation in the spinal cord secondary to central disc bone spur complex. The cervical cord appears slightly flattened.

C6-7 Disc space is moderately narrowed with moderate broad based disc spur complex producing cord flattening and bilateral foraminal stenosis.

C7-T1 posterolateral annular bulge and high signal in the annulus meaning the possibility of an annular tear. The Annula is a fluid filled sac that the disc sits in and it also contains nerves. If the annula tears, and the fluid spills out on OTHER nerves, it is very painful. The focal disc protrusion foraminal stenosis & displacement of the cord.

On the impression, he writes "severe degenerative disc disease." This is drying out of the disc, which everyone gets. This comes with age, and some people get it worse than others. When the discs dry out, they flatten which makes them bulge and/or herniate -- then they push on nerves and that's PAINFUL!

The flattening of the cord isn't something to sneeze at, although he doesn't say it's being compromised or compressed, etc., and there's no evidence of myelomalacia so that's good.

I do think I would take these films and get 2 MORE OPINIONS from NEUROSURGEONS. Don't ever take just one opinion!!! You must have 3 opinions from Neurosurgeons before EVER undergoing the knife!!! Surgery should be your last option after exhausting every conservative option. And you must remember that surgery is only for mechanical problems. It isn't for pain. Most often you're left with the same pain or worse after surgery.

Please let us know what happens, okay? We ALL really want to know, okay? And if you have any more questions, or if I totally confused you about this MRI, let me know. LOL Big hugs, Lee