NeuroTalk Support Groups - View Single Post - Hello, back again with an MRI for your perusal

Dubious · 06-02-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetsyAnn

I was here briefly back in January, but I haven't been very active in this forum at all. However, I am now facing the fact that my neck isn't going to magically improve if I just wait it out, so I'm looking for the best route to go now.

I had a fusion of C5-C6 back in 2005 for a herniation and bone spur causing symptoms on my right arm. Now it's the left side causing me problems haha.

C2-3: No significant bulge, yada yada.

C3-4: Mild annular fissuring with a minimal paracentral bulge. There is some additional uncovertebral osteoarthritic changes. These, however, are only associated with minimal neural foraminal narrowing and canal effacement.

C4-5: There is an annular tear with a broad-based bulge projecting greater toward the left neural foramen. This is associated with a moderate-to-severe left foraminal narrowing, mild on the right. The central canal is effaced.

C5-6: This level is fused. There is residual disc osteophyte complex. This, however, is only associated with minimal neural foraminal narrowing and canal effacement.

C6-7: There is an annual fissuring with a paracentral bulge. This effaces the thecal sac. Additional disc osteophyte complex formation and uncovertebral osteoarthritic changes are noted. These contribute to a moderate right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing but with only a mild canal effacement.

C7-T1- No significant bulge, narrowing, etc.

also, there is reversal of the normal cervical lordosis BUT I am pretty sure that's a long standing thing, noticed even before I had issues at C5-C6. This report suggests it could be due to muscle spasm, hard to say, my neck always has some spasm going it seems

I am being referred back to my original neurosurgeon, hoping for a non-surgical approach. I do have pain, but more of issue to me is the heavy aching I get in my arm, the feeling of fatigue and the 'hesitation' I get with fine motor tasks such as typing (lots of typos now) and taking the lid off my razor, etc. Will injections, PT, etc help to relieve the pressure on the nerves caused by the herniations?

Btw, I am a 41 y/o female

I do have some other neuropathy type issues.

Hi Betsy,

Sorry to hear of your issues. At least you seemingly had almost 8 years of right-sided relief, right? Anyway, your C4-5 problems are significantly more problematic on the left than anything going on at C6-7 on diagnostic imaging (MRI). But....

Fortunately, MRI's make more sense when they are ordered to verify exact clinical ortho/neuro findings and historical information, for which there is almost none provided in your post (it puts the cart before the horse). So the answer to your left upper extremity issues is it is either coming from the C4-5 level (probably), the C6-7 level (maybe), both (possibly) or neither (doubtful) depending upon your clinical exam and history (you need to talk to the doc that ordered the MRI!). The MRI needs to be correlated to your subjective complaints and exam findings, not the other way around. Good luck!