Welcome to Neuro Talk. You found a great site for support and friendship. Information is always done with care. If you report the findings of your sons MRI with his permission, there are those here that can help you interpert the findings. Ask your son to keep a pain journal daily. This helps the doctors determine whats steps can be take to help. A pain specialist is sometimes recommended from the neurologist. Surgery is a last resort. Second and even third opinions are always a good idea. I have had two cervial fusions. I did not do that the first time around, and learned from my mistakes. Now I have a successful fusion C3-7. Leesa, is top notch in reading the MRI's. I am OK at it but I have to look up each and every word. I am learning from Leesa. If you choose to look up the MRI via google, it will help you to understand the termonology. I sure hope your son alan, gets some resolution to this painful condition. I certainly understand and remember the pain, and so does leesa. Feel welcome here, respond to any post you want. Neruo Talk for me has been a blessing to find. I hope your mothers day was good. Tell your son he is welcome to post at any time. Take care and know that we will care here. ginnie