[jeng6109]

I have been having pain in my left arm and hand. Got an MRI and here are the findings:

CERVICAL DISK LEVELS:
C2-C3: No significant bulges or protrusions. Mild bilateral facet osteoarthritis.
C3-C4: Symmetric disc bulge is present. Bilateral uncovertebral osteophytes. Mild bilateral facet osteoarthritis.
The foramina are moderately (between 1/3 and 2/3) stenotic. The central canal is mildly (<1/3) stenotic.
C4-C5: Minimal diffuse bulge. Bilateral uncovertebral osteophytes. Mild bilateral facet osteoarthritis. The left
neural foramen is severely (>2/3) stenotic. The right neural foramen is moderately (between 1/3 and
2/3) stenotic.
C5-C6: Bilateral uncovertebral osteophytes. Mild bilateral facet osteoarthritis. Severe left and moderate to
severe right foraminal narrowing.
C6-C7: Bulging of the disc margin with an associated osteophyte is present central canal zone. Bilateral
uncovertebral osteophytes. A focal protrusion is present in the left foramen. The left neural foramen is
severely (>2/3) stenotic. The central canal and right foramen are mildly (<1/3) stenotic.
C7-T1: No significant disk disease, facet osteoarthritis or stenosis.
CONCLUSION:
1. C6-7 bulge osteophyte complex with uncovertebral osteophyte. A more focal protrusion is
present in the left foramen resulting in severe foraminal stenosis.
2. Left greater than right foraminal stenosis is also present at C4-5 and C5-6 mostly due to uncovertebral osteophyte.

Does anyone know what this really means?

[glenntaj]

Bottom line, as the conclusion section suggests, your MRI is well correlated with your symptoms. You have bulging discs at two levels but the bigger problem seems to be overgrowth of bone from your cervical spine itself at those levels encroaching into the foramina--the spaces through which nerves pass from your spinal cord on the way to other parts of the body--which is narrowing the space through which they travel and likely resulting in compression of the nerve roots, greater on the left side than on the right, which may well result in the symptoms described.

The important thing now is what to do about it. What kind of doctor are you seeing? This does not, to me, seem severe enough to be talking spinal fusion--possibly a foraminotomy (an operation in which more foraminal space is made by shaving done the bony protrusions to give the nerve roots more clearance)--but I'm not a doctor, and you need a spine/neurosurgeon opinion (or two).

[jeng6109]

Thanks for your input. I am going to a neurosurgeon tomorrow. Just wanted to get other opinions before the appointment.

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by jeng6109

Thanks for your input. I am going to a neurosurgeon tomorrow. Just wanted to get other opinions before the appointment.

It all depends on your clinical findings, but essentially you have 3 options: conservative including traction and meds, that and epidurals or surgery. Talk to your doc.

[MSSurface]

Originally Posted by jeng6109

Thanks for your input. I am going to a neurosurgeon tomorrow. Just wanted to get other opinions before the appointment.

Did you receive any good feedback you can share?