disc protrusion t-6 t-7 whats next?
 

recieved mri results of t-spine today,it said large left parasagittal disc prot rusion that extends to and into the left neuroforamina at t6-t7. there is impingement on the spinal cord at this level.also said there is loss of signal intensity and height of the intervertebral disc at t1-t2 t5-t6 t6-t7, i been slowly getting weaker and weaker in my legs,with lots of burning pain in heels and back,going to see doctor next week. what will happen next? should i be worried? thanks george

Hello george
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Glad you found the site. You will find alot of folks here with back issues. Myself included. Others can interpret your test results better than I can. However, I do know when you have nerve inpingement on the spinal cord, that is some cause fo concern. Make sure you go for a second opinion, no matter what direction your doctor wants you to go in. This is really important. I didn't do that and my results were poor first time around. Now fused C3-7, with much better results. I hope things work out. Let us know how it goes. sorry this has happened to you. ginnie

Are you being sent to a Neurosurgeon? I hope so. Do NOT agree to surgery at this time -- you need to get at LEAST two more opinions. Surgery should be the last possible option after all other conservative options have failed. I must admit tho that when the spinal cord is being impinged, you may NOT have any other options since your legs are getting weak.

Please keep us posted as to what the doctor(s) say, ok? God bless and please take care! Hugs, Lee :)

curious, what happened to you to cause this? It is considered much harder to injure this part of the spine than the other two sections...

Hi Pabb
 

I did not know if you were speaking to leesa or me. Glad to answer for myself. I was an artist, and I looked down into a magnafier, for 30 + years. I reversed the curve of my spine. I knew it hurt for a long time, but I had no health insurance, so I worked until I could not look down at all. No choice. I miss my hard earned business, but the rods now do not permit that kind of work or much else. Hope you are ok. ginnie:hug:

got appointment with neurosurgon on friday,they also ordered mri of brain? i dont understand this. seems to only be getting worse.do you know anything else that can help me? Maybe exercise,sleeping position,suppliments. thanks george

Hi George
 

I well know how the pain can make you very anxious. I would lay off excersise for now until some dx is made. In fact take it easy for awhile OK? I think the MRI is to rule out any neurological problems from the brain. Sometimes when the back does not present for a clear DX, this is ordered. Don't become overly alarmed yet. I know it is scarry, none of this stuff is fun to go through. I hope your neurologist can get to the bottom of the trouble and find a resolution. Make sure you go for a second opinion, no matter what is or isn't discovered. I do wish you all the best. NT, will be here to support you through this and so will I. ginnie:hug:

ah, had to go back and check your areas of involvment. I was referring to the OP, thoracic issues aren't all that common without a direct injury. I see yours is cervical, much more common, and your mech of injury is quite understandable in that light.

The MRI is probably related to the fact they wouldn't expect bilateral leg involvement with that spine imaging, hopefully it will r/o some "nasties", and they can get going from there.
do you have headaches?, do you feel better lying down? do you have noise in your ears? have you had direct injury to your spine? Have you been in a car accident, in say, the last 2 years.?

impingment t6=t7
 

short story,went to doc last nov.,told him i was lossing my ability to walk.sent me to ortho., he told me i had severly arthritic hips,this april i had left side hip replacement,it didnt help,sent me to neuro in june finnaly found impingments.now nerosurgine this friday.never was injured

They want the MRI of the brain to rule out a few systemic diseases. As was mentioned the Thoracic is extremely uncommon for injury unless there is great trauma. The loss of signal at multi levels other than those with impingement are what they are focusing on. Best of Luck to you!