Hi, new here. I'm 38 which is kind of young for this type of thing as I understand. I've had mild chronic neck pain for probably 20 years. I have a desk job with lots of hours. I lift weights 3-4 times per week. Last year I had a strange tingling/burning in my right shoulder and arm that would come and go depending on position. That lasted a month or so. Had some Xrays on the shoulder which revealed nothing. The pain came back this year and didn't go away. I tried some physio and that also did nothing as we were focused on my shoulder. I did some research and self diagnosis and decided to ask my doc for an MRI on my cervical spine. The results are as follows.

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MRI Cervical Spine

Indications: Neck pain radicular symptoms in right C8 dermatome

Technique: Radiculopathy protocol MRI cervical spine

Straightening of the normal cervical lordosis with some modic type 1 endplate changes at C6-C7 intervertebral disc

No abnormal cord signal seen

Multiple posterior lateral disc osteophyte complexes are noted throughout the cervical spine.

C3-C4: There is mild central canal stenosis and mild right-sided foraminal stenosis due to disc osteophyte complexes.

C4-C5: Moderate canal stenosis and severe right-sided foraminal stenosis identified due to disc osteophyte complexes.

C5-C6 and C6-C7: There is moderate central canal stenosis and severe right and left-sided foraminal stenosis again due to disc osteophyte complexes. This is likely compressing the exiting nerve roots bilaterally.

C7-T1 is normal

Impression: Multilevel degenerative changes with moderate canal stenosis extending from C4-C5 to C6-C7 and severe right-sided foraminal stenosis at C4-C5 and bolateral foraminal stenosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7.

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I am supposed to see a neurosurgeon at some point to advise me of the best course of action be that surgery or otherwise. That could take a while as I'm in Canada. Our healthcare is universal but appointments to see specialists can take months. Just thought I'd post here to get some opinions. Given my age and my love for lifting heavy things I really want to be aggressive about treatment. I don't have any ROM issues but my right shoulder suffers a little in the strength dept.

Thanks all,
Nikolai

Some of your problems could also be from the postures from work, all the looking down at desk papers, computer screen, mouse/keyboard uses.

Some very good PT or expert chiropractic care might be beneficial, if you try that -take your MRI report for them to read, so they know what the issues are.

I don't know if any surgery is warranted , the dr/neurosurgeon should be able to advise on that point.


But for now try to work on your posture- the forward head/forward shoulders is very common for long time desk type work.

I don't know if these are doable/comfortable for you to do but might be worth a try -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/album.php?albumid=422

Hi, I had some of the same stuff going on with me...I would definitely pay attn to the C4-C5: Moderate canal stenosis and severe right-sided foraminal stenosis identified due to disc osteophyte complexes. You could try steroid injections to help the inflammation but I think ultimately they will offer surgery for an ACDF on C4, 5 & 6. That would be a fusion surgery. I think it depends on how much your spinal cord is and nerves are being impinged. Good luck with this. The surgery isn't that bad and has relieved a lot of pain, however I still have problems and other areas are getting worse. But you should read up on it as much as you can so that you're knowledgable about it to talk to the surgeon when the time comes. I hope it gets better for you.

Hi Nixter I also live in Canada my problems r close to yours iam 57 not young like u I also trained with weights for 30 years I've been dealing with this for. 4 years going for left side rfa next week and then starting injection on right in march waiting to see a neuro dr.that could take a year took me over a year to get a mri and 16 month to get the rfa date I think this will only delay surgery. What I can tell u to get things going as guickas possible because of the wait in our healthcare. At least it covers your appointments chances are this will not get better for u just worst I thought it was nothing when it started but it has force me toquit work sell my house move into condo thank god i took out extra insurance at my job All i can say to u is move guick as u can on this don't take no for a answer u are the only one who knows how much pain your in and how it start to effects the way you have to live. Good luck I hope you get relief soon.

Thanks guys. I know that my posture at work has never been great. I had some massage done on Friday and that actually helped quite a bit. I feel like all the muscles around my upper back and neck are quite sore and stressed and that is exacerbating the issue. I have an appointment with an RMT on thursday. Still waiting to hear from the neuro to just book an appointment lol.

Hi,

Hi, I know how you feel. At the age of 27 I was told I had the neck of a 65 year old. I have osteophytes (arthritis) on every disc in my neck. Mine causes cervical migraines, at times. Everyone is different I guess your pain is caused in your arm.

I went through 6 doctors (maybe more) before someone would do surgery. I had a fusion in 2003 which helped some. I basically have no cartilage in my neck what-so-ever. I'll never figure out why this happens. It's ridiculous! Way to young for this!

I hope you find a way to relieve your pain.
Take Care!
Heather

I am trying to find another way vs fusion and hardware in the neck..
I have been talking with North American spine, but not sure they can get the bone spurs down with their methods.
I have got to ask that question now that I understand what the problem is..