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Old 05-31-2013, 09:23 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 ~

C3-4 Mild annular fissure with small paracentral bulge. Osteoarthritis changes. Minimal foraminal narrowing & canal effacement. The annular has a slit in it - the annula is a fluid filled sac that the disc sits in, and it's filled with fluid. When that fluid seeps out onto the nerves it's PAINFUL. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord -- yours are mildly narrowing.

C4-5 Annular tear (same as fissure, basically) with broad based disc bulge projecting toward left neural foramen. This is associated with moderate to SEVERE left foraminal narrowing, mild on the right. (see above) The central canal is effaced. By "effaced" they mean the central canal could not be seen due to above.

C5-6 Fused area. There are residual bone spurs. Minimal foraminal narrowing & canal effacement. (see above)

C6-7 Annular fissure with paracentral bulge. This effaces the thecal sac. The thecal sac is a membrane of dura matter that surrounds the spinal cord and cauda equina. The sac is filled with cerebral spinal fluid. Additional bone spur formation and osteoarthritic changes noted. These contribute to moderate right & left neural foraminal narrowing (see above) & mild canal effacement. (see above)

As to the Lordosis, you may be correct in that it could be due to muscle spasm.

I'm no doctor, but I really do NOT see this as being a surgical event at this time. I AM glad you're being sent to a Neurosurgeon. The only thing I'm a bit concerned about is at C4-5 and that is the moderate to SEVERE foraminal foraminal narrowing on the left. But this may not have to be corrected at this time. Your Neuro will be able to tell you. PLEASE let us know what he says, will you? PLEASE???

Do you have an appointment yet? If so, when is it? Let us know when you go, okay? God bless and please take care BetsyAnn! Hope to hear from you soon! 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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"Thanks for this!" says:
BetsyAnn (06-03-2013), ginnie (06-10-2013)