Spinal lesions shown on MRI scan
 

Hi to all

About 14 months back I had a car accident. I was stationary and a van drove into the back of me, the van was doing around 20mph; the driver was not paying attention. Initially I was fine but about 8 hours later I was woken from my sleep by an intense pain in my neck. I went to my hospital and the doctor advised me I had suffered a whiplash injury.

I then found I also had tinnitus real bad and this has since been diagnosed as permanent and intrusive - it drives me insane.

Anyway the pain in my neck did lessen but it never went away. I had periods of agony where I was basically unable to function. My neck would lock up like a concrete post and I would get headaches too. I also noticed that I had bad pins and needles in my arms and hands.

I had physiotherapy sessions, about 16 in total and I religiously performed the exercises I was given. They only offered temporary relief and about 3 hours after the exercise I was back to the pain again. I kept going to see my GP but to be honest he was not very helpful. I think that because I was pursuing a claim he formed the opinion I was trying to embellish things and he would reply "We all get muscle tension in out neck!". I lost faith in him so I try not to visit him if possible. I may change my GP if possible.

The pins and needles progressively worsened and I started to get loss of feeling in arms. This then turned to pain, especially in my right arm (I'm right handed) and I though perhaps I had been using my computer mouse too much. I abstained from the PC for about 4 weeks with just the odd click for e-mail etc. Despite this abstinence the pain increased and I was in agony, it was like I had done a workout and was feeling sore after it. This was weird because I had done nothing out of the ordinary. This problem worsens at night when I go to bed. The pain is intense and I awake in agony - sometimes I can hardly use my right arm, it feels dead and my fingers feel "fat". I cannot think of a better way to describe it. The pain in really bad in my forearm (close to elbow) down to my middle and ring fingers. I still get the pins and needles but that seems inconsequential in relation to the pain.

My neck is painful all of the time in the crux of my neck on the right side where it meets my shoulder. I cannot get any relief from this pain and severely restricts my life.

My lawyer got me to see an Orthopaedic Consultant and I was given an MRI scan. On the report it says Saggital and Axial T1 and T2 weighted images - this means nothing to me.

The report says I have hypointense lesions on C7 and T4 vertebrae. It also adds there is a bony island at C7 with vertebral haemangioma and also vertebral haemangioma at T4.

Can someone please explain what this means. I cannot get back to see the consultant for a month and I am getting quite worried by this report. Could this explain the pain I suffering in my neck and arms or is it unrelated?

Your help would be most welcome.

Many thanks

Feel better
 

Whiplash can last a long time and be difficult to heal. I was rear ended in Sept and still have some major issues. I had a 2 level fusion c5-6 c 6-7 last December. Glad you were able to have an MRI. I am not a doctor only a layperson who has had many symptoms. Can you call the Dr's office and ask to speak to the PA. Let them know that you have a copy of the MRI and are very concerned. Maybe they can talk to you on the phone rather than wait. Pins and needles is sometimes associated with muscle spasms. The pain can be a pinched nerve. Have you tried ice for the pain. I found ice helped more than heat. Not sure about the lesions, but the good news is that the MRI does not say there is any bulging or herniations. Not to dismiss your pain, but whiplash can cause excruciating pain.