MRI report/ Surgeon ignores/ Need help
 

Alittle history on myself I am a 38 year old male, active, no major health concerns. I have a previous fusion of my C4/5/6 in 2005. The surgery was performed in Lubbock, Texas and I received a plate and six screws. I have been having issues of no feeling when pinching in my legs, and a feeling that my right side doesnt work right. I also have been getting larger instances of "stars" when I look over my shoulder or blow my nose. The part that caused me to get looked at is in the top of my neck I started getting what I can only describe as a pulsing electrical pulse deep in my neck at various times.

These are the findings of my MRI.

The C-2-3 and C3-4 disks demonstrate no abnormal protrusion but there is a diffuse bulge at the C3-4 which compresses the anterior thecal sac and causes moderate flattening of the cord and impingement upon the ventral nerve roots. This is slightly asymmetric greater on the right than left. Through the fusion block, it is difficult to know if the cord is actually compressed or this is artifact. At the C6-7 level, there is metal artifact but continuation of what appears to be moderate cord flattening. The rest is normal.

The conclusion.

Artifact causes distortion of anatomy through the fusion block from C4 through C6. However, the vord does appear to be genrally flattened through the entire fusion block. However there is a diffuse disk osteophyte complex compressing the cord and ventral nerve roots slightly greater on the roght than left at the C3-4 level. The diffuse cord flattening throughout the fusion block persists at the C6-7 level but does appear to return to normal appearance at the C7-T1 interspace level. At no level, do I identify abnormal cord signal to suggest myelomalacia or edema


I saw the original surgeon who did my first fusion, well he had an intern look at the MRi, and she saw things and said she was going to point them out to the doc. He walked in asked me again for a list of my symptoms, then said he wants to be conserveative and do nothing and watch it unless it gets worse. I am thinking what the intern said and the doctor didnt has me worried enough to get a second opinion. I just am at a lose considering how I feel and the report which was blown off. Any advice or suggestions are greatly apprecaited

I'd get a copy of the report & the images and take them for independent opinions..

I have copies of both, and have also been in contact with the laser spine institute, but am unsure how reliable they are as far as techniques used. I am also looking for another neurosurgeon

One of my pain conditions is my neck. I went to so many surgeons I lost track after a while. I went through every ortho surgeon in my county so I went to the next county over.

I would get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th....opinion until someone helps you. Every doctor has a different philosophy on what to do. I finally had a fusion in 2003 which helped a lot. I still have pain but not at frequent. Don't give up until someone helps you.

Good luck!!!
Heather

Hello Monorojo13, be careful with laser spine institute, I found critics, lawsuits against that place searching myself. I can not post the link because I'm a new member and this is my second post.

The best is to get many opinions, specially from doctors recommended by your PCP or/and family and friends. I think surgeries are always the last option and you need to do a lot of research before. The spine is something serious.

Find another doctor. I went through 7 Orthopedic surgeons before someone would do surgery on my neck (2003). They all said it wouldn't help. Well, it did. Not 100% but much better.

Keep going until you find someone that could help. You know your body better then anybody. If it's telling you something is wrong keep going until you find an answer. Those are scarry symptoms. And why on earth would he say "Wait and see if it gets worse"? So he doesn't care about your symptoms NOW? Why should U suffer. That ticks me off! Get your medical records and say see ya!

Feel better soon!
Heather

Then it's probably a good thing the first seven passed. Their reluctance could have been—at least in part—an indication/reflection of their knowledge, skill, and/or track records—or lack thereof.

Because, depending on the condition and surgery in question, reviews of studies have indicated that two years out, surgery is often/usually no better than physical therapy (or doing nothing) when a patient's condition is relatively stable. If it gets worse, it's an indication that the condition is unstable and likely to cause further damage, paralysis, or worse.

Half of all surgeons—as well as all other doctors—are below average.

Doc