Let me see if I can help in layman's language:

At C3-4 & C4-5 you have "drying out" of the discs (dessication) which means that the discs tend to flatten out and that makes them bulge and sometimes herniate. That also makes them push on nerves and that HURTS. Everyone has this, it's just some of us get it earlier than others.

At C3-4 you also have bone spurs which causes moderate narrowing of the neural foramen. The foramen is the hole which the nerves go thru to the spinal cord.

At C4-5 you have bone spurs which causes minimal neural narrowing of the neural foramen.

At C5-6 you have a herniation of the disc with compression of the thecal sac. The thecal sac is the membrane of dura matter that surrounds the spinal cord & the cauda equina. The thecal sac is filled with cerebral spiinal fluid. The disc also compresses the spinal cord resulting in spinal stenosis with the saggital diameter of the spinal canal being narrowed to approximately 5mm. The disc protrusion results in moderate to severe lateral recess and and foraminal stenosis (narrowing) which might result in right C6 radiculopathy (radiating pain).

What kind of symptoms are you having, i.e numbness, tingling, etc? From what I can tell (and I'M NO DOCTOR) I don't think you'd need surgery, but I would certainly get more than one opinion.

I think it's AWFUL that you have to wait that long just for an appointment! Our health system is screwed up for sure, but it's nothing like that! We can go to whomever we want, and all we have to do is call someone and get in within a matter of perhaps a 3-4 week period. But PLEASE if it's at ALL possible, make sure you get more than one opinion. And try ALL conservative methods before opting for surgery because surgery will NOT relieve all your pain. Surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. The vast majority of times you will end up with the same pain or worse after surgery! I've had 3 spinal surgeries (one was a spinal cord stimulator implant) the other 2 were open spinal surgeries and I'm in worse shape now than before. In fact, I'm disabled now. So try every thing you can before undergoing surgery.

Best of luck and God bless. Please let us know what happens, ok? We really care here! Hugs, Lee

I thank you very much for your help and prompt reply. My neck pain is very severe, and the intense pain has subsided for the time being. I believe this is an issue that stemmed back to 2002 and driving a forklift for over 10 years a CT scan cleared my neck at the time.I had much Chiropractic care that I believe help it lay dormant for this many years but still not diagnosed. The pain continued over the years pretty bad in my left shoulder and that is what the Doctors were concentrating on. I also unaware of from what suffered ear ringing, and swooshing,flash spot i see and my whole face gets sore,numbness on my left side and feet. I have been to the eye and ear Doctor with nothing wrong. Recently at the end of June, something brought out my disc pain very severe where I get intense waves of pain where it just hurts to move, hurts my both shoulders have radiating pain, my whole body,face,numbness on left side down to my feet,hurts to swallow and my throat makes my voice raspy. The intenseness has subsided but my neck is still very sore where I cannot work. My doctor did not recommend to me any therapy, he just said I need to see a Neurosurgeon. So, I gathered its pretty bad.I believe The CT scan of my neck way back was not 100% accurate and an MRI would have save me all these years of it getting worse. 10 years I have suffered with this not being diagnosed and being persistent I had a lot of pain and being fluffed off by many Doctors.

A note to my symptoms, my front right lymph node is also swollen and tender. I am having an ultrasound of it, but I believe it is caused from the issues from my neck.

Lessa was spot on with laymans terms. I just want to add one thing. Besides getting another opinion, know that surgeries can and do work out OK. I have had two. In my case fused C3-7 now. My pain is tolerable, and no shooting pains down the arms anymore. Surgery is always the last resport, but when the MRI States, Severe, in the termonology, that is the time to act. Let us know how you are doing. ginnie

I was wondering if anyone knew of having a shorter neck causing issues? I had a CT Scan and it said ". There are image degradation artifacts at C6-C7 and C7-T1 due to the patient's short neck therefore assessment is not optimal in these regions." I thought my neck was normal...lol. It doesn't look obvious anyways.
Is there anyway having a short neck could cause disc bulging?This was a CT Scan from 2009 and a current MRI didn't state anything of a short neck
Thank you!! Kim

Ok...I am just awaiting my surgery date and I have questions for after, and here goes.
I live alone and I have 2 cats and a small dog, will I be able to move around slowly after my surgery at home? I can have someone come and change my kitty liter but I will need to let my dog out and possibly a little walk to stretch her legs. Will I be able to do so slowly? I am in a pickle with this after surgery with no family in my area to help. Can I lower myself to my dog if I need to, like a squat? I am just very concerned about caring for them after while I am in the first few days.I will have friends stopping by to help but I will need to let my dog out and pay attention...I hope I can do this! I do know lots of Popsicle's and soup for after as well,,,Thank you

In my case I needed help. I had a series of people come to my aid. My best friend, her mother, and several neighbors. Walking the dog is not something you are going to feel like doing that first week. I had trouble just getting out of bed. Had help in getting into the shower. We all heal, and experience pain differently. Ask your doctor ahead of time for something for spasms, along with the pain killer they will give you at the hospital. Also an incline pillow helps alot. I also found some adultwipes for washing my body that I used for about three days. I was fused C3-7, and was grateful for all the help I got. You may want to ask for volunteer from church, or even the hospital administration for patient advocasy help. There may also be a "womans"center that could give you some advise. Tell your doctor you are alone, ask him if he can suggest something, or an aid worker for a few days at least. Prepare the food you want ahead of time, and have it ready to go, either in ther fridge or feezer. The last think I wanted was to eat actually. Keep up juices, and easy foods to eat. Don't be scared, you will heal, and the pain will diminish. This was my experience. I wish you all the best, and the good outcome I was blessed to receive. ginnie

I so thank you very much for your advice and suggestions, I will look into getting help for a few days with my dog. I am not looking forward to this but I am hoping I can manage. I have stocked up on frozen things and quick meals. I am prepared to go anytime and I believe it will be an ambulance call to get quicker relief. I am in Windsor,Ontario,Canada and our process is very very slow, I have been off work 3 months now and can barely go out to enjoy life. I just want the surgery over and done with so I can return to life and working. 10 years I have been dealing with this and they hadn't a clue what was going on until last month.I started with a small disc bulge that was no concern to even tell me and then it is surgery stage now.It has been rough, but could be worse!

I can't really add anything to what Lee had to say. Second opinions are always in order when dealing with something as important as the spine. Don't hesitate to post and and all questions. There are no dumb ones. There's plenty of knowlege and experience here..........and broad shoulders. Best wishes.

I forgot to add one thing -- PLEASE don't go to a CHIROPRACTOR AGAIN. One more manipulation could end you in a wheelchair or paralyzed, especially the shape you're in right now.

My neurosurgeon said that ANY spinal patient risks paralyzation because Chiro's don't have the intense training that Neuro's do and they don't have access to an MRI so you're putting yourself at risk by allowing manipulation.

So I just wanted to throw that out. I know some people use Chiros as a last resort -- in fact before I'd ever been diagnosed or gone to a Neuro, I went to a Chiro myself --- and he promptly broke my STERNUM! Do you know how hard it is to breathe with a broken sternum? OUCH! lol

Anyway, PLEASE keep us posted on your progress, etc., ok? God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee