Hello everyone,

I'm new here but not new to spine/back pain. I need some help understanding results of a recent cspine MRI. I just don't know what this means for my care or what I should be doing for my neck pain/issues.
Background:
Auto accident 11/1 I was the driver and was rearenedi g while at a competed stop. Driver of other vehicle hit me at 35-40 mph. Sought care with a physiatrist who was more focused on my shoulder insiti g there was a rotator cuff tear and did an ultrasound (said he saw a full thickness tear) and injection and ordered an MRI - which showed a superior labral tear, nothing more.

Anywho lol, neck MRI results came back showing 3 herniations. Need some help interpreting or at least getting an idea of what's going on as the person who called me with MRI results (wasn't a dr just office person) said "you have 3 herniated discs and you are to continue PT". Not really enough information for me. Any help or insight is greatly appreciated. So here's the results:

FINDINGS: Cervicomedullary junction shows no Chiari I malformations. Cervical cord shows normal signal intensity. Vertebral body heights are normal. Mild intervertebral disc space narrowing is seen at C4-5. There is mild decreased signal at C2-3 through C6-7 intervertebral discs. Straightening of the normal cervical lordosis is seen in the mid-cervical spine, however, this may be positional for this exam.


C2-3, C3-4 show no disc herniations or stenosis.

C4-5 shows a central disc herniation with peripheral high intensity zone causing central impression into the thecal sac with compensatory deformity of the cord. This creates mild central canal narrowing. Neural foramen are patent.

C5-6 shows a left paracentral disc herniation causing asymmetric impression into the thecal sac with compensatory deformity of the cord. This creates mild central canal narrowing. Neural foramen are patent.

C6-7 shows an asymmetric to the left disc herniation or peripheral high intensity zone causing asymmetric impression into the thecal sac with compensatory deformity of the cord without direct contact upon the cord. Neural foramen are patent.

C7-T1 shows no disc herniations or stenosis.

IMPRESSION:
1. ASYMMETRIC TO THE LEFT DISC HERNIATIONS C5-6 AND C6-7. 2. CENTRAL DISC HERNIATION C4-5.

I realized I didn't really give my symptoms: left side arm weakness, heaviness, pain in shoulder elbow wrist and hand. Tingling down left arm into thumb ring finger and little finger. Marked decrease in to the left range of motion of my head/neck. Right is better but still not very good. In pain daily that wakes me up at night, intermittent dizziness and headache.

Does anyone else experience these symptoms? Do you think I'll need surgery? Any thought or experiences are welcome and appreciated!