Could someone please be kind enough to translate this report for me, please...


Some background details...

I had a major left rotator cuff tear along with a/c joint repair, bone spurs operation this past Novermber. After getting out the of the sling, I noticed my right arm goes numb or pins and needles, while driving or doing certain movemnets and have noticed a stiff neck feeling since then also. My ortho ordered a MRI the following is the report..

MRI OF THE CERVICAL SPINE:
INDICATIONS: DECREASED RANGE OF MOTION IN THE NECK. PINS AND NEEDLES FROM RIGHT ELBOW TO HAND AND FINGERS.
COMPARISON STUDY: 2006.
Today we performed axial and sagittal MR sequences. The cerebellar tonsils end above the level of the foramen. The spinal cord has a normal signal.
There is a disc herniation at the C5-6 level measuring 5 mm in the AP diameter x 7 mm cephalocaudal diameter. This results in central and right asymmetric compression of the thecal sac and narrowing of the right neural canal.
At C6-7, there is a new broad based disc herniation/bulge measuring 3 mm in the AP diameter. This results in mild canal stenosis. The remainder of the disc spaces are normal.
IMPRESSION:
NEW CENTRAL AND RIGHT PARACENTRAL DISC HERNIATION AT THE C5-6 LEVEL.
NEW BROAD BASED DISC HERNIATION/BULGE AT C6-7 RESULTING IN MILD CENTRAL CANAL STENOSIS.

Basically what it says is you have 2 disc herniations -- One at C5-6 and one at C6-7. Also, you have spinal Canal stenosis, which is narrowing of the canal which is caused by the herniations. This stenosis is described as "mild" so it's nothing to worry about at this time.

The fact that you have numbness, and pins & needles says that you have some nerve impingement and you would probably benefit from some physical therapy. You don't want to end up with nerve damage, and therapy would probably help. Talk to your doctor about this -- I'm no doctor so I can't say for sure what would happen.

I wish you the very best! God bless. Hugs, Lee