Sorry about the double post. I put all this in the intro section. Should have introduce my self and kept the medical info here. Hoping someone here can help and shed some light...thanks so much


Hello, and I want to thank everyone for this forum. I had a MRI recently done and now I am waiting on the doctor to go over the results. 2 weeks, that's a long time to wait. That why I wanted to post here and see if anything from this report that might explain my pain and leg weakness down both of my legs. I am 56 years old and I am out presently on STD due to surgery shoulder for a large bone spur on my right shoulder.

This has been going on for the last 2.5 years and I am at a place where I cannot go on. There is no way. I can go back to work due to the physical nature of my job.My Neuro Surgeon said there is not much he can do any more. He does not see any nerve impingement so there is nothing else he can do. I cannot do the injections (due to coming off blood thinners, too many times) and physical therapy has not worked. I have no really pain meds and don't want to get addicted to them anyway.....wished, I lived in Colorado sometime now lol.... I do hurt but I am just trying to deal with it the best as I can

I know that it is Bilateral sciatic pain(dr diagnose) but the pain and weakness and spasm are also on my front thighs as well as the back. which seems strange.The pain runs all the way to my toes starting at the lower back. Back does not hurt too bad just stiff. I do have weakness and pain/numbness in both shoulders that run through my arms into my fingertips.

I was diagnose with possible then to probable MS in the last 2 years but since has been diagnose with Fibro. no MS. I did have surgery for a neck fusion in NOV 2013 which resulted in a blood clot and now I am on blood thinners for the rest of my life. The surgery did not do any good.

Some other health issues are PTSD , Incontinence ( bowel and bladder) DVT, IBS, Fibro, DVT, Gerds, Sleep apnea, High blood pressure.

A little scared because at 56 I know I cannot do my job and with NO diagnose of what is wrong with me there is no way I could get LTD. It is hard to stand in one place more than a few minutes without pain and weakness throughout my legs into my toes. It feels like there are 2 pins sticking into my toes when i stand. Numbness and spasm are throughout my body

So here goes :Anyone see if there is anything on this MRI report (in the past MRI this looks similar) but the Nuero Surgeon says he sees nothing that surgery would be needed....no impingement

Thanks so much Tom

MRI THORACIC SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST, Sep 28, 2014 02:49:30 PM
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INDICATION: 729.89 Leg weakness, bilateral
COMPARISON: August 14, 2013
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TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multi-sequence surface-coil MR imaging of the thoracic spine was performed without contrast.
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LEVELS IMAGED: Lower cervical to upper lumbar region
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FINDINGS:
. Thoracic spinal cord: Normal signal and contour. Conus In normal position without tethering.
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. Vertebrae: No marrow signal abnormalities to suggest neoplasm. Normal alignment. .
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. Degenerative changes: Mild foraminal narrowing is noted on the right at C7-T1, T1-T2, and T2-T3. Additionally disc osteophyte complexes are noted at T2-T3, T7-T8, and T9-T10.
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. Paraspinal soft tissues: No edema or mass.
.
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Impression
Mild degenerative changes with foraminal narrowing noted on the right. No acute abnormality

MRI CERVICAL SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST, Sep 28, 2014 02:49:24 PM
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INDICATION: 729.89 Leg weakness, bilateral
COMPARISON: August 14, 2013
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TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multi-sequence surface-coil MR imaging of the cervical spine was performed without contrast.
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LEVELS IMAGED: Foramen magnum to upper thoracic region
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FINDINGS:
. Alignment: Normal.
. Vertebrae: No marrow signal abnormalities to suggest neoplasm.
. Spinal cord: Normal signal and contour.
. Cervicocranial junction: No significant focal abnormality.
. C1-C2: No significant focal abnormality.
. C2-C3: Mild disc osteophyte complex noted without significant canal or foraminal narrowing..
. C3-C4: Disc osteophyte complex and mild right foraminal narrowing. No significant spinal canal narrowing..
. C4-C5: Disc osteophyte complex noted with moderate right foraminal narrowing. There is mild spinal canal narrowing as well
. C5-C6: Prior fusion at this level noted. There is mild spinal canal narrowing from osteophyte formation.
. C6-C7: Disc osteophyte complex noted with mild spinal canal narrowing.
. C7-T1: No significant focal abnormality.
. Upper Thoracic Spine: Disc osteophyte complex noted at T2-T3..
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Impression

Multilevel degenerative changes as above with prior cervical fusion at C5-C6. Foraminal narrowing is worst on the right at C4-C5. No acute abnormality.

MRI LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CONTRAST, May 19, 2014 04:00:59 PM
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INDICATION: back pain724.5 Back pain
COMPARISON: None
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TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multi-sequence surface-coil MR imaging of the






lumbar spine was performed without contrast.
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FINDINGS:
. Alignment: Normal.
. Vertebrae: No marrow signal abnormalities to suggest neoplasm, fracture, infection .
. Conus: Normal signal and contour.
. Degenerative disc disease:.
. L2-L3: Degenerative disc bulging effaces the ventral thecal space. Facet degeneration with ligamentous and osseous overgrowth.
. L4-L5: Degenerative disc bulging effaces both inferior foramina when combined with degenerative facet and ligament overgrowth. There is small superimposed left foraminal disc herniation that contributes to narrowing on the left. Deformation of the left more than right ventral thecal sac secondary to disc bulging.
. L5-S1: Degenerative facet spurring results in early foraminal narrowing.
. Upper Sacrum/Ilium: No significant focal abnormality.
.
Impression

Multilevel degenerative disc and facet disease, most notable at L4-L5 were disc bulge and facet spurring results in moderate foraminal stenoses.

Hello,
Only a few things jump out at me , but not an expert at all..

[I do have weakness and pain/numbness in both shoulders that run through my arms into my fingertips.]
* What kind of work and/or any previous whiplash or injuries to upper body?
If so maybe something here will be helpful-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

[ L4-L5: Degenerative disc bulging effaces both inferior foramina when combined with degenerative facet and ligament overgrowth. There is small superimposed left foraminal disc herniation that contributes to narrowing on the left. Deformation of the left more than right ventral thecal sac secondary to disc bulging.]

This just reads as the most major thing to me , but maybe surgical is not an option..


With multiple dx as well a the pain & symptoms, have you thought about any kind of alternative treatments?
Chiropractic (expert of course..)
Naturopathy- overall health
Acupuncture - overall health

[I do have weakness and pain/numbness in both shoulders that run through my arms into my fingertips.]
* What kind of work and/or any previous whiplash or injuries to upper body?
If so maybe something here will be helpful-


Jo*Mar thanks for the reply back. I more or less have done physical work all my life (PTSD) nothing specific I get very little sleep always have...so more or less I wore my body out. It kept my mine busy if I work. One thing is good we are good with our $( Financial) but now the doctors and hospitals will get it...

I am hoping something will be here looks like there (to me) on my Lumbar MRI L4-L5


I do have the same symptoms on my legs just like the shoulders( weakness and pain/numbness) My legs or worst than the shoulders they are so weak.

Thcoffee,

I read about you MRI findings. The foraminal spurring could cause some issues as there in not alot of open space in the foramen for spurring. The nerves that go through the spine might also be affected.

Have you ever tried Chiropractic?

It helps me better than the meds. If you keep your spine aligned, the spurs (bony growth) near or in the foramen won't hurt as much.

I have almost the same dx as you. I am 54 and my chiropractor has helped tremedously.

Let us know how you are doing! Love and