New to NT and I am not sure what I am dealing with.
 

Having unexplained neck pain and most intense when turning neck to left. Also, weird sensation in the throat when turning neck to to the left. Pain radiates down the left arm to the hand. Numbness in the hand in the am. Every once in a while, I can hear my neck click. Had a MRI done and hear are the results and just wanted to get some thoughts. FWIW, I have an appt. with a neurosurgeon next week. Thanks.
Findings:
Lordosis: There is straightening of the normal cervical lordosis.
Heights: The vertebral body heights are maintained.
Alignment: There is minimal retrolisthesis of C5 on C6.
Bone marrow: No expansile or destructive osseous lesion is identified. There are Modic type I degenerative endplate changes at C5-C6. Otherwise there is no abnormal bone marrow edema.
Discs: There is disc desiccation from C2-C3 to C6-C7 with moderate disc space narrowing at C5-C6.
Spinal cord: The spinal cord is normal in signal.
C2-C3 : There is a minimal circumferential disc bulge without spinal canal or foraminal stenosis.
C3-C4 : There is a mild/moderate central disc protrusion (herniation) mildly indenting the spinal cord without spinal canal or foraminal stenosis.
C4-C5 : There is a shallow central disc herniation mildly indenting the spinal cord without spinal canal or foraminal stenosis.
C5-C6 : There is a mild/moderate broad-based disc osteophyte complex and left subarticular/foraminal component moderately indenting the left aspect of the spinal cord with mild spinal canal stenosis. There is bilateral uncovertebral hypertrophy causing severe left and moderate severe right foraminal stenosis affecting the exiting left greater than right C6 nerve roots.
C6-C7 : There is a minimal circumferential disc bulge without spinal canal or foraminal stenosis.
C7-T1 : There is no significant disc herniation, spinal canal or foraminal stenosis.
Craniocervical junction: The craniocervical junction is unremarkable.
Paraspinal musculature: The paraspinal soft tissues are within normal limits.
IMPRESSION:
Multilevel degenerative changes most pronounced at C5-C6 where there is a mild/moderate
broad-based disc osteophyte complex moderately indenting the left aspect of the spinal cord with mild spinal canal stenosis. There is no spinal cord edema. There is severe left and moderate severe right foraminal stenosis affecting the exiting left greater than right C6 nerve roots.
No abnormal bone marrow edema to suggest fracture.
Further findings as detailed above.

THANKS.

Welcome sandman512. :Wave-Hello:

[IMPRESSION:
Multilevel degenerative changes most pronounced at C5-C6 where there is a mild/moderate
broad-based disc osteophyte complex moderately indenting the left aspect of the spinal cord with mild spinal canal stenosis. There is no spinal cord edema. There is severe left and moderate severe right foraminal stenosis affecting the exiting left greater than right C6 nerve roots.]


the most serious issue is the above bolded portions.

JoMar,
Thanks for the reply. I have an appt. with a neurosurgeon on Monday, what can I expect? What would be the course of treatment for this? Thanks!

The dr will have to fill you in on options & treatment.
I can only help with what the report says..

Update, saw my neurosurgeon yesterday. He showed me the MRI, and was able to see the issue. Couple of options; try a steroid pack along with anti-inflammatory. He also offered the option of injections etc... He also said that tI am a candidate for surgery based on what he saw and that the previous mentioned treatments will by me time; not correct the problem. Just wanted to see what other people did. THANKS!

Sandman

Sorry for the pain and discomfort you are in.
I know for I have almost the same issues.
I just saw an orthopedic specialist that is expert in the neck and lumbar spine.
I have even seen a neurosurgeon.

Well, long story short, since I have done the conservative route with my lumbar, I had to have a laminectomy and fusion done on my L4-L5.

With my neck, I'm ready for injections. Ortho and Neuro stated candidate for surgery.

Have you had injections, and if so, how many have you had. Ortho said I will have a series of shots within several weeks.

I'm a bit nervous.

Praying you find relief and that you pain subsides to a bearable level, or better yet, gone all together.

Take care
Str+

No injections. I am a fix it type guy and feel that the injections are just masking the issue at hand. Going to get a second opinion.

Thanks for the input. I am currently looking for a doctor for a second opinion. I'll update thread as I go along.

evidence of shot success
 

My wife had neck problems causing right arm loss of feeling,neck pain and hand and arm falling asleep had shots done 3 yrs ago no return oof problem yet. now has l5-.6 issue and is debating over surgery or shots for second time and I believe she will go for the shots again! first She also has spinal canal narrowing at that area and a bone grooth that is touching the cord:grouphug:

So, got a second opinion today. The doc. was great and I happen to know him personally. After an hour examination and review of my MRI, here is what he said. There is definitely a problem going on that needs to be addressed. He said prior to considering surgery, there is physical therapy, injections. medications. For one, I am trying to avoid any and all meds., I sick of putting stuff in my body. No way in hell am I doing injections in my neck. We are going ti go the physical therapy route and see what becomes. He feels that this will temporally relieve the pain and numbness. I have a follow up appt. in six weeks. Once again, any input is appreciated. Thanks.

I Didn't Get My Quarter! (Or Is That the Tooth Fairy?)
 

Hey, Sandman,

Good luck in physical therapy; I agree that's the most sensible decision for you right now. That and 2 dimes will buy you a phone call… :D

Just curious, which part of your left arm does the pain travel down, and where are you experiencing the numbness and tingling (like, which fingers are affected exactly)?

Hope your PT is able to bring your pain and other symptom levels way down in a quick hurry! Let us know how it goes for you, OK?

Take care,
Alison
;):):wink:

So, the pain/tingling travels down the outside of my left arm. Tingling is in the fingers(all of them).