Mri help reading what should i do?
 

I have had severe neck problems for 10 years or more. I had to quit my job last summer as i was having flare ups constantly and could not move for days even cleaning my floor would send me into a flareup of course disability denied me. And i am stuck going to be homeless unless a miracle happens, i have been in pain management since last year and i cant afford it anymore io cant get medicaid or health insurance, i m working with vocational rehab they sent me to a neurosurgeon who wants to do acdf surgery immediately!! and from what ive been reading and other forums have told me that this surgery will not helpmy neck pain..so why hav eit? i do not have arm pain only weakness in my hands and if i write or hold in a certain position too long a little tingling but i would never have that kind of surgery to help just my hands and weakness that seems crazy. Has anyone else had something similar to my mri? and only have neck pain and spasms all the time ..i get my rght leg and fooot gets tingly and feels like foot falling asleep but i think thats because of tendons in my knee only happens when my knee hurts int he back of it. i dont think thats from my neck.

cervical vertebrae showed straightening of the normal curvature which may be positional in the scanner(my mri in 2011 and in 2004 said my neck was straight also by xrays)
at c3-4 patient has mild disc buldging with patent neural foramen and spinal canal.
at c4-5 pt has very minimal disc buldging w patent neural foramen and spinal canal.
at C5-6 pt has a disc protrusion centrally w minimal impingement of spinal cord without significant cord flattening or compression.
at c6-7 has a left posterolateral disc with protrusion with cord impingement and mild flattening of the left side of the spinal cord without significant compression seen at this time. Nerual foramen are patent.
at c7-t1 is normal
mri of cervical spine revealed spondylitic changes maximal at C6-7 where the patient has a disc protrusion eccentric to the left side with mild flattening of the left side of the spinal cord. Clinical correlation is recommended.

Hello Krisinua
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. This is a great site to be on to find out information. I hope leesa tackles this one. I am OK with MRI's but leesa rocks. She will respond. In fact she is the one who read my MRI when I came here about 4 years ago. Hang in there. Make sure no matter what the findings are that you get a second and maybe a third opinion OK? Keep a pain journal with all the symptoms written down. Bring someone else with you to discuss the findings from your doctor. Usually a person is nervous, and may not remember everything the neurologist says. The other person can help fill in. I am fused C3-7. Surgery is always a last last resort. Please don't consider any kind of PT, or chiropractor without the go ahead from your current doctor. I wish you all the best. WE will all be here to support you through these issues. Many have cervical problems and come here for the same reason you are. Feel at home and welcome here. ginnie:hug::grouphug:

Nice to meet you!!
 

Hi Kris ~ I'll try to help:

On C3-4 and C4-5 you have mild disc bulges

On C5-6 you have a disc herniation with minimal impingement of the spinal cord.

On C6-7 you have rear lateral disc herniation with cord impingement and mild flattening of the left side of the spinal cord WITHOUT significant compression.

The weakness and tingling in your hands may not be bad now, but it WILL get worse, and if allowed to continue like this it will likely become permanent. Also, your right leg and foot tingling COULD be coming from the neck too. I can't say that for sure -- a Neurosurgeon would have to determine that as I'm no doctor.

You MIGHT do okay with physical therapy, but something should be done or else these symptoms could become permanent. So see the Neurosurgeon but ask him about physical therapy!!! I wish you the very best. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee ;)