Hi Everyone
I am new so hope I am doing this right. Brief history I went off the road in 2009 and hit a tree head and then in 2011 came out of a store and tripped over a bike rack and fell face first banging my head off the sidewalk. I had a Cervical spine MRI in 2010 which determined herniated disk, degenerative disk disease and narrowing. I just got the results from an MRI I had done in December and it states:
Findings: C5-C6 There is no central canal stenosis. Neural foraminal narrowing is severe on the right secondary to uncovertebral osteophyte formation.

Summary: Severe neural foraminal narrowing at C5-C6 affecting C6 nerve root.

I saw a neurosurgeon after my MRI in 2010 and he figured that things would correct itself and if not try traction and physio which I have done both. I don't see my Dr til February about MRI results wondering if I should have him send me back to Neurosurgeon to talk about possible surgery or other options now that things have worsened. I get pins and needless and numbness in lower right shoulder blade area when I cross my legs, extend forward, vaccuum, driving and a few other activities. I received whiplash when I fell which has probably made things worse.

Looking for someone to help me understand the MRI and any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the board, I hope you find the answers you are looking for! A lot of the people on
Here have a lot of knowledge. I'm sorry to hear of your injury. However I am new and can't really suggest what should or shouldn't be done, compared to some of the senior members here. However I would definitely suggest doing doing all conventional measures before surgery, ie. Physicals therapy, anti inflamatories, possibly chiropractic care, pain management etc. As always consult with your Dr. First bc no one wants to make you worse. I hope you get to feeling better and find some answers! Believe me these guys & gals are wonderful and very insightful!

One of the WORST things a spinal patient can do is VACUUM. I was told by my Neurosurgeon that I was not to vacuum ever again! That was after my lumbar surgery, and I'm sure it's the same for cervical. It's the back & forth motion that is the culprit, plus the turning too. So have someone else do the vacuuming for you. Don't do it yourself.

And avoid surgery at all costs if you can. Try any and all conservative methods before you resort to surgery. Surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems - it will not relieve your pain, and if it does it's just a fluke. After surgery, you will be left with the same pain or worse. Also, the levels above & below the surgery site will fail because they have to take on more of the load -- it's called the "Domino Effect." The doctors normally don't tell their patients about this. It ends up in your needing more surgery down the road.

NEVER go to a chiropractor for any spinal problems until particularly when you have anything "severe." You can end up with more problems. Two different neurosurgeons told me that I could end up in a wheelchair & paralyzed by going to chiropractors. Many people disagree with this, but since 2 different Neurosurgeons told me this, I'm going to believe them.

With your MRI, you might be sent back for more therapy. I would think that would be the road to go at this point only perhaps going for a longer time this time. I hope it works for you.

I wish you the very best. Please keep us informed on how you do. God bles and take care. Hugs, Lee

Thank you for your responses. I have been in physio for over a year now was going 3 times a week and now once a month or more if needed with a daily home exercise program. I just recently went to a pain specialist who put me on a 7 day pain patch called Butran has taken abit of the edge off. I also have mild spondolysis in my thorasic and lumbar spine.
I was recently turned down for disability but am gonna reapply now that I have the new MRI. I was a support worker with handicap adults previous to my fall but am unable to lift and fullfill my job requirements.
I am only 43 yrs old and would prefer to be working, in April will be off work for 2 years. Not sure what kind of work I will be able to do at this time it is so frustrating even office work involves sitting for long periods which causes major pain in the middle of my back and lumbar spine area as well as pins and needles and numbness in the shoulder blade area.
My biggest fear is becoming paralyzed from pressure on my spinal cord not sure if i should be concerned about this or not.
It sure feels good to have people to chat with that are going through the same thing thank you

Hi Bucky do you have numbness in fingers or going down the arm ? Most " good surgeons won't even consider surgery unless your spinal cord compressed. The future risk are too high of needing more surgery down the road. Im in 100% agreement with Leesa no chiro-- my surgeon said the same== the spine is not meant be cracked or maniuplated and chiro love to adjustments. The surgery for acdf is not really done for pain relief --its done because of disc pressing against spinal cord in time will cause you to go parlyzed in time. Hope this helps!

Ty for your help I have numbness in my right thumb and forearm.

C5--usually causes shoulder pain and numbness going down upper arm

C6--weakness in biceps numb thumb

C7---middle finger and forearm

Some herinations will resolve in time like I said mainly done if there is a compression of spinal cord. Have to see what your DR said ---I said this in another post but all my MRI always gave measurments to help determine how severe the herinations were in size ---not sure if this is because all 4 disc in my case were pressing the cord .