Hello, I recently had my 3rd neck injury at work. Went to hospital that day and followed up with orthopedic surgeon a few days later. Was in excruciating pain and was prescribed vicodin and a neurontin. The first neck injury was a car accident (1989), the second was a bicycle accident which left my neck fractured(2000) and the third was a fall (2007). Also am experiencing tingling in left arm, thumb and finger. My question after reading my MRI results is this...Is all the findings of the MRI due to prior injuries? I was told that it was due to getting old? also that the fall exasperated the findings of the MRI.
After going for an MRI, I am confused about the results of the findings and wondered if I could have this explained to me in layman's terms.
The heights of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral disc spaces are relatively uniform throughout.
there is straightening of the normally visualized cervical lordosis at C3-C4, there is disc osteophyte complex impressing on the ventral surface of the thecal sac, but not the spinal cord. In addition, there is narrowing of the bilateral neural foramen, secondary to uncovertebral degenerative changes, somewhat more prominent on the left than the right.
At C4-C5, there is a circumferential disc bulge iwth more prominent centrally located disc protrusion, encroaching upon, but not clear the compressing spinal cord. There is narrow of the bilateral neural foramen, secondary to uncovertebral degenerative changes, more prominent on the left than the right.
At C5-C6, there is a disc osteophyte complex encroaching upon and flattening the ventral surface of the spinal cord, without associated intramedullary increased signal.
At C6-C7, there is a left paracentral to far lateral disc osteophyte complex impressing upon and flattening the left ventral surface of the spinal cord, without intramedullary increased signal. Again, there is narrowing of the bilateral neural foramen, slightly more prominent on the left than the right.
Incidentally appreciated is the presence of a central herniation of the nucleus pulposus at T2-T3, which appears to impress upon the ventral surface of the spinal cord. However, axial imaging was not obtained through this level.
The surgeon recommended 4 weeks of physical therapy, but seems to feel that surgery will be the only alternative. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.

I wish there were more info. available, i.e., age, but, and it's a huge one: I wouldn't want you to post such if it may also compromise your privacy.

One of the reason that I stated the above is because you mentioned that the surgeon thinks that surgery is the "only alternative." I don't understand why so the surgeon thinks that... at this time unless the spinal cord itself is clearly risking damage.

I'm not a doctor or anything, but I don't see tell-tale indications - in what you noted from your report - that suggest your cord is clearly at risk for permanent damage, or injury.

Mostly what I'm seeing is about osteophytes; those are bone spurs. Those can be removed only more are likely to surface. That's arthritis.

The "tingling" sounds like radiculopathy or paresthesia. A PM (Pain Management) doctor, if you've not also seen one, may be able to lessen the effects.

If not already done, I'd get a second and third opinion before any surgery, which, as you know, is an invasive procedure and carries risks.

I'm sure there will be others far more insightful who will (possibly correct me) offering their thoughts, too.

If you are up to it, I'd try the PT first. Because many PTs have worked with an array of people, the PT might also have some ideas.

Bobbi was right on about the bone spurs/osteophytes. I had a very large one at the C6-7 that was causing some cord compression. When they did the fusion surgery the neurosurgeon removed it. In less than 19 months it grew back.

Thanks for the reply Bobbi, I am 45 years old. 5'-9" 170 lbs. I will be getting a second opinon next week.

Hi! I'm Dave,
Sorry to hear about your problems. I just had surgery ACDF on C 5/6 and 6/7.. my MRI was similar. I had 3 opinions, and suggest you do the same. My surgery was on Feb. 14th of this year, and I was back at work in 3 weeks. The fusion wasn't bone, it was cages with a plate. After surgery, my Neuro came in and told me I was a mess in there.. lots of spurs, some quite large. I am almost pain free except for muscle spasms every so often. I am a printer, and do heavy lifting using mainly my upper body, all day.
Hope you get well.
Dave