Do I need Surgery?
 

I have been experiencing numbness and tingling in both arms, hands, legs, feet, face and back of head. Sometimes if I sit for a period of time my buttocks goes numb. I have trouble walking sometimes. Physical Therapy only made my symptoms worse, so I was told by my family doctor to discontinue therapy. I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon in October.
Here are the results of my MRI:


INDICATION:
Complains of neck pain with numbness and tingling in bilateral upper extremities for 6 months. Symptoms getting worse.
TECHNIQUE:
Noncontrast MRI of the cervical spine performed.
FINDINGS:
Cervical vertebral body height are normal. No compression fracture or marrow edema.
Degenerative disk space narrowing at C4-C5 through C6-C7 levels with mild dorsal kyphosis at this level.
At C4-C5 level, there is very minimal degenerative bulging annulus. No focal disk herniation, spinal cord or neural foramen
compromise.
At C5-C6 level, there is mild broad-based central disk herniation along with endplate osteophytic spurs causing effacement of
ventral thecal sac and mild cord flattening. No cord compression. Posterolateral disk bulge and uncovertebral osteophytic
spurs causing moderate compromise of the C6 neural foramen bilaterally.
At C6-C7 level, there is degenerative broad-based disk bulge at the left paracentral and posterolateral aspect along with
uncovertebral osteophytic spurs severely compromises the left C7 neural foramen. There is mild central canal stenosis
without cord compression.
Remainder of the disk levels, demonstrate no focal disk herniation. Cervical spinal cord has normal signal throughout the
examination. Cervicomedullary junction is normal.
IMPRESSION:
1. Degenerative disk space changes in cervical disks at C4-C5 through C6-C7.
2. At C5-C6 level, there is mild broad-based central and minimal left paracentral disk herniation along with endplate
osteophytic spurs causing central canal stenosis and mild cord flattening. No cord compression. Moderate spondylotic
compromise of the C6 neural foramen bilaterally somewhat more on the right compared to left.
3. At C6-C7 level, there is broad-based disk bulge and endplate osteophytic spurs causing mild central canal stenosis.
Posterolateral disk bulge and uncovertebral osteophytic spurs causing moderate spondylotic compromise of the left C7 neural
foramen and mild degree on the right side. No cord compression or abnormal intramedullary signal within the cervical spinal
cord.

Hi, I don't think anyone can tell you if you "need" a surgery. The longer I live the more I realize any surgery should be last resort unless emergency.

Acupuncture and PRP regenerative injections can help if one can do them. One thing about surgery, it's not reversible...some people get help and some get worse. I had a hip replacement 5 yrs ago and in many ways I'm worse off. Now living with the complications and doing other protocols to help with the surgery mess (that's what I call my outcome).

My neighbor has horrid neck issues and numbness down her arms and hands .. no feeling in her hands and she claims the neck issues are from sleeping on an inferior pillow in rehab facility she went to after her hip replacement. She's seeing a chiro now who does laser and ultrasound work on her and taking some specific homeopathic remedies to see if they will help her trauma mess she deals with.

So if you "need" surgery -- don't know. I would try so much before I would do surgery ever again.

I have a pretty messy back and I'd never do a back surgery. I have OA in neck but keep moving it. My 2cents...take care and hope you find your answers somehow.

Great to meet you!!
 

:Wave-Hello: Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you. :smileypray:

Darlene :hug:

Hello asbhockeymom,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support groups. :)

Just wanted to let you know that there is a
Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum
if you've not found that already.

There is a thread in the "Stickies" at the top of that forum
Medical Dictionary & MRI/CT Terminology
and that may help you understand your results better.

Wishing you all the best for your appointment in October.
take care.