[smyles12]

The pedicles are developmently short producing a narrow cenral canal baseline.
C/2c/3 level there is mild uncovertebral facet arthropathy causing mild right neural foraminal stenosis.
C/3c/4 level there is a small posterior disc/ osteophyte complex with mild uncovertebral and facet arthropathy causing mild cenral canal stenosis and mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. Cenral canal measure 9mm in AP dimension at this level
c/5c/6 level there is mild disc bulging and facet arthropathy causing mild effacement of the ventral thecal sac.
I was in auto accident in August 2012. At complete stop was rearend by someone doing roughly 55-60 mph. Hit mainly on left side of car I was front seat passenger with seat belt on. So far I have done physical therapy with very little improvement did get some movement back but not all. Done different pills antimflamitory, steriods, muscle relaxers list goes on. Did the epidural steriod injections not help with those. Now they are talking about radiofrequency rhizomy ( spelling might not be right so sorry). Also went chiropractor made pain worse. Please help me understand this and thank you happy I found this site

[ginnie]

Please don't see a chiropracter again, unless a neurologist clears you. this can and does make a situation dangerous. I would ask that you contact Leesa, as she is very good at reading the MRI. I am OK but I look it up, where Leesa has great experience with this. Do seek a second opinion no matter what the outcome is. Bring a pain journal, and someone else with you to all appointments. Will your PCP give you another referral? I am a cervical patient. I went for three opinions before I acted on surgery. I wish you all the best. ginnie

[Leesa]

Hi Smyles ~ I'll do the best I can !

C2-3 Mild facet arthropathy. That means facet disease which could be anything like osteoarthritis. The facets are the "wing-like" structures on each side of the spinal cord. When you hunch your back, you can see & feel them. There is also mild right neural foraminal stenosis. The foramen are the holes that the nerves pass thru to get to the spinal cord -- Stenosis means narrowing, so the foramen are narrowing.

C3-4 Small posterior disc bone spur with mild facet arthropathy (see above) causing mild central canal stenosis (the spinal canal is getting narrow) and mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis (see above)

C5-6 Mild disc bulging and facet arthropathy (see above) causing mild effacement (wiping out) of the ventral thecal sac. The thecal sac is a membrane of dura matter that surrounds the spinal cord & cauda equina and is filled with cerebral spinal fluid.

I hope this helps you understand it a little better. I know it's confusing. While I doubt that this is a surgical case at this time, I hope you will get a Neurosurgeon to look at this, to get an opinion. DO NOT jump into surgery, as surgery should be a LAST RESORT after all conservative methods have been exhausted. Surgery is only for mechanical problems. It is NOT for pain. After surgery, you are almost always left with the same pain or worse.

So make sure you get at least 3 Neurosurgeon opinions. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

[TXcatlady]

Lessa is right! Don't jump into surgery and don't go to a chiropractor until you get it cleared - it can really mess things up. I know some people highly believe in Chiropractors but if you have an injury they can make things worse by what they do. Hang in there!

[smyles12]

Originally Posted by TXcatlady

Lessa is right! Don't jump into surgery and don't go to a chiropractor until you get it cleared - it can really mess things up. I know some people highly believe in Chiropractors but if you have an injury they can make things worse by what they do. Hang in there!

Thank all so much for the info. I only went to the chiro for like a month and 1/2 after my car accident and I will never go back to one again. Thankfully the chiro I seen never tried to pull or jerk on me he had a hard time doing massages on neck and shoulder he did a a lot of heat. I've been looking to see at least 3 other docs for my neck issues. I'm not looking forward to having my nerves burnt. The esi were painful and now my left shoulder and shoulder blade give me huge problems. I'm so happy to find a place with helpful people with great advice. Peace

[Leesa]

If you do have the "nerve burning" procedure, keep in mind that it MIGHT be a temporary fix, depending on what procedure they do. The nerves DO grow back, at an average rate of one inch per month.

So ask your doctor what procedure he'll be doing -- if it's permanent or temporary.

Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee

[smyles12]

At my last appointment they did say the burning of the nerves would last roughly 9 to 12 months.

[Leesa]

Well, I guess that's better than nothing, huh? Trouble is, sometimes when the nerves are growing back, it causes pain. You get burning, zapping, and all kinds of delightful things. So it's not really worth having it done!

Maybe you won't have all that. I hope not.

Keep us posted, will you? When do you expect to have the procedure done?

[pete81241]

i'm a guy who has had 7 spine surgeries including a 4 level fusion at the bottom of my neck. i would call my burning experience the most productive of all my procedures. i got 13 months of relief and it allowed me to start exercising my neck and shoulders so i could drive a car more comfortably. i dont think its that dangerous a procedure. it is a bit painful but it was worth it for me.....pete

[pete81241]

my condition was similar to yours in that i had facet, disc and arthritic problems all through my spine. when they burn the facet nerves they are working on nerves that dont have a lot to do with coordination or strength but they do affect your range of motion, pain and ability to rotate your neck....