Husband hit on motorcycle

My husband was rear-ended at 35 miles an hour on his motorcycle August 2, 2007.  His "Neuro" doctor or should I say the Nurse Practitioner only sent him to have physical therapy based on the original X-rays from the trama center in August.  He was still having sharp pains in his neck that would go down his right arm and limited mobility to the right as of 2 weeks ago.  His therapist/chiropractor sent him to have an MRI done last week because she felt as if he should be progressing better.  His results from the MRI are confusing to us to understand the specifics.  Could you explain what they mean in layman's terms and what you feel the prognosis should be.  It would really take some weight off of our shoulders with everything else.  The MRI results read as follows:

1.  At C5-6, there is small right foraminal disc protrusion with mild to moderate right C6 foraminal  
    narrowing.
2.  C6-7 shows a small left forminal protrusion with mild left C7 foraminal narrowing

I tired to look it up on internet, but I am not real sure that what I am reading I truely understand, and would like to help my husband understand so that he isn't so... well scared of the results.

Thank you,
Tina

[Prem Pillay, MD]

From the information given I would say that you husband has suffered what is sometimes called a Whiplash injury to the cervical spine. The MRI shows mild degenerative disc disease which could have been present before the accident. The accident though could aggravate and bring about more symptoms from this pre-existing problem.
I would agree that physical therapy, gentle traction, and mobilization exercises can be helpful.