Cervical MRI - Surgery?
 

I have severe upper back and neck pains - which my dr sent me for a MRI to find out what is going on. I don't know what the results mean and was hoping I could find help on the board.

There is a straightening with mild reversal of cervical alignment in the lower cervical spine. There is 3 mm retrolisthesis of C6 on C7. Normal vetebral body height, paravertebral, intervertebral disc, cord and intraspinal enhancement is noted.

At C3-C4: There is severe, left-sided facet arthrosis contributing to mild left neuroforaminal stenosis. No focal protrusions. The central canal and right neuroforamen remain patent.

at C4-C5: A broad-based, 3 mm AP diameter posterior disc osteophyte complex associated with severe right sided facet arthrosis results in severe right neuroforaminal stenosis, and mild central stenosis, the AP spinal canal diameter measuring 8.6mm. The left neuroforamen is patent.

At C5-C6: A 4 mm AP diameter broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex is noted mildly effaces the ventral cord at this level. The central canal measures 11 mm. The neuroforamina are patent.

At C6-C7: There is posterior end plate bony spondylosis with bilateral uncovertebral hypertrophy resulting in mild right and moderate to severe left neuroforaminal stenosis. Central canal is patent, measuring 12 mm.

Impressions:

Multilevel cervical spondylosis as described above.

At C4-C5, severe right neuroforaminal stenosis is demonstrated in conjunction with mild central canal stenosis.

At C6-C7, moderate to severe left neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

I have tried almost everything in the way of therapy, with no help. I cannot have steroid injections as I have Lyme Disease. I have been living on relatively low doses of pain medication - but my social life is almost non existent. They recommended surgery, but I am highly hesitant as I am 63 with various health issues. I don't bounce back very easily from physical setbacks. I also feel that if I had surgery, I would begin a roller coaster that I can't get off of.

Now governmental regulations are cutting back on my medication, and I will be in a bind to get out of bed much of the time. I think I am having some other problems lower down. The right side mid upper back is becoming excruciating and I cannot stand for over 15 minutes without being in agony. I don't think it's the cervical issues, but I could be wrong.

I feel like my choices are to have surgery, go to heavier pain medications that make me feel drugged out (which kind of defeats the purpose of getting a more active life.) - or perhaps the pain pump inplants.

I would love to hear others' experiences and comments.

[At C5-C6: A 4 mm AP diameter broad-based posterior disc osteophyte complex is noted mildly effaces the ventral cord at this level.]

Do your hands/arms seem to be affected by the c spine issues?
Or is the pain mainly in the upperback? More of a muscular pain?

If you are having rib cage thoracic spine area pain or pain with standing , it might be good to have the T spine & lumbar imaged too.

Has PT tried a TENS or IF stim to see if those are helpful for you?
If those help you can get a RX or just buy online - I got my IF stim from Amazon under 100.00.. works great...

Most of the pain, from what I think is cervical, is the neck, upper left shoulder blade. I can't sit for any length of time without severe spasms and electrical shocks. I do have some numbness and tingling as well as a bit of balance problems. But that is bearable.

I have. TENS unit. (I reay have tried almost everything. I had neuro frequency of the nerves, which was great for six months but then my nerves made new pathways. One result was the pain in the mid upper back.

I think you have a good idea to get Thoracic imaging. Thanks for all your input!!

Any AP diameter of less than 8 mm is dangerous. Your cord is deformed and you could be a quadraplegic. I messed around getting different opinions and my cord was bruised and I might not get part of my left arm back because of it.

MRI results
 

Hello jeffntate,

How were you able to find out the mm's?

My MRI didn't mention whether they are 7mm etc.

Is there a different test that shows how bad the spaces are

Thank you!

I would assume that the radiologist would mention AP diameter if it might be an issue..:confused:
But I suppose it is based on how detailed they are when reading/reporting on the images..if a rad tech is less than diligent they may miss it?
Then it is up to the doc to really look @ films to verify & double check- I would think..