Mommyto6: Neuro wants me to stop all physical therapy until we get results from the MRI w/ contrast and the EMG.

I hate it when doctors are busy and you don't get the benefit of a full explaination. Next time, bring a friend with you into the office. They can pick up anything you might miss. Also the doctor has a tendency to listen and do a better job of talking if you have back up. Do this for all appointments next month OK? This is really important, and it will help you in the long run. Without the exact words of your doc. I would only be guessing, which I shouldn't do. I sure hope the following appointments go well for you. Keep a pain journal and hand it to your doctors as you see them. ginnie

Oh, I thought the 1st post info was a current MRI.

But If you are having upper body pains now too, a new one for C spine is a good idea, and a newer low back MRI too?


You might have had a low impact but can still get some whiplash after the fact.

Mommyto6: Don't want to confuse anyone. And I really appreciate all the help. The first MRI was current (within the past 2 weeks), but was only of my lower back. I had been complaining of pain in my upper back and neck as well, but those areas have not been getting any attention (except for the chiropractor rolling massage table, which hurts). Now, to recap, I am having unbearable pain in my back and neck that is starting to extend to my arms and legs/feet. Just want to make sure the Drs are not missing something as the first MRI was not indicative of this type of pain. Will keep you updated and if anyone can offer any more advice or suggestions I would appreciate it. I would like to keep tests at a minimal if possible.

My son is a physical therapist. Both of us, ask you gently, not to engage in any chiropractic adjustments. If you do have an issue in the upper neck, that isn't a good idea, without a neurologist saying it is OK to do. You don't want to make worse any trouble you may have. You will need another MRI, of the upper neck if that is where this latest trouble is. No one likes tests, or the expense of them.
Try to avoid any steroid injections if at all possible. Most of the time they hurt to get, and the relief isn't worth it. Just my own opinion as I have had a number of them. As a rule, if something hurts Don't do it OK? I am here, any time you need to talk. I hope you get in to see your doctor for re-evaluation of the upper neck. ginnie

Mommyto6 Update: Just got results from MRI w/ and w/o contrast of thoracic and cervical spine. For some reason, they did not repeat my lumbar MRI w/ contrast like I wanted them to. I have so much pain there. Please tell me what these results could mean as it will be a few days before I can see Dr. and I am worried.

I won't bother putting the stuff that seemed "normal"

FINDINGS FROM T SPINE REPORT: T4-5 level is a focal central disk protrusion indenting the ventral subarachnoid space and mildly flattening the ventral surface of the traversing thoracic spinal cord the depth of this disk herniation is apprx 2-3 mm

FINDINGS FROM C SPINE REPORT: C7-T1 Small bilateral foraminal perineural cysts measure 5 mm each.

Please help. I will also search online. Does any of this relate to my having leg and back pain and sciatic type nerve pain?

I just did a bit of research on what your MRI says. There is some good news even though it sounds kinda bad. when it says FOCAL central disk protrusion that means a SMALLER intrusion on the disk space. Any time something as a herniation goes into the disk space they kind of rate it with that hard language.
Google up what is focal central disk protrusion and you can get the % of the disks that are involved. Don't be afraid to look up these words. You want to be fully educated before you make any kind of decision on treatments. Different doctors sometimes offer different treatments. You can also look up words like the ventral subarachnoid space. that is the place where the nerves run through your spine.
If your MRI had said SEVERE which is a key word in these readings, I would be more worried. If you have other degenerative conditions, the neurologist will be able to tell you, how much risk there is to further injury to the spine if you do nothing, or if he decides that you need surgery. Always get more than one opinion no matter what you do. I am here to listen anytime. ginnie

mommyto6: Thank you Ginnie for all your help. I will do some research as soon as the pain wears down.

Oh,ho,
Tarlov cysts, also known as perineurial cysts...

https://www.google.com/search?q=fora...-a&channel=rcs

mommyto6: Jo*Mar could these Tarlov cysts be the result of a low impact car accident? I have been searching, but can hardly find anything about what causes these. Thanks.