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5003461 tn?1362225264

Female Army Combat Veteran with severe pain

Hello my name is Cynthia in November of 2011 I fell on some ice. I had an x-ray in January 2012 because the pain was unbearable and an MRI right after the x-ray. Can someone tell me the results mean. AP, lateral and oblique cervical spine radiographs reveal loss of cervical lordosis with replacement by kyphosis and tilting of the head and neck to the right, with no evidence of fracture, malalignment or other acute or pertinent abnormalities. MRI There is straightening of the cervical spine. Individual disk levels are as follows. C2/3: Normal C3/4: Normal C4/5: Trace posterior disc protrusion C5/6: Normal C6/7: Trace posterior disc protrusion C7/T1: Normal. Please help what does that mean. I have been in pain since the fall, but since the beginning of February 2013 my right pinky and ring finger are always numb and I have pain from those fingers to my elbow, in my shoulder and some times I have pain in my ribs on the same side. Also I have pain on the left side of my butt. I was in the Army from 4 August 1997 to 26 June 2012. Since I got out and with my my new symptoms my VA doctor continues to say that I do not need another MRI. Whatever the x-ray and MRI says or don't say there is no reason I should be in this much pain. Please Help.
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5003461 tn?1362225264
I want to thank you for responding to my post.  It feels good to know that I am not alone, and not crazy as I continue to be told that there is nothing that can be done for me,  Believe me I don't think that I could trust them enough to operate on my back, I have heard dozens of other soldiers had back surgery and it made it worse.  I only wish that they would give me something to help with the pain.  Again thank you for explaining what the MRI meant.  It was a pleasure serving.  Thank you
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Avatar universal
I am NOT a doctor, or a X-Ray tech, just someone that had back and hip problems with many MRI's.   Ok, the trace disc protrusion means that your discs are bulging, meaning it's exactly that bulging out and while it's not great it's not horrible either.  It sounds like you probably have either nerves being pressed and that could be a slight pinch, and that's you feel it if you move a certain way, or its pressing on a branch nerve and causing more pain and constant.  My mom blew her back out and and a couple of her discs herniated, they where all the way out.  She couldn't walk, she couldn't crawl, my dad had to carry her in the bathroom, into the doctors office.  She had the back surgery, was pretty rough on her, after months of doing the physical therapy she still had a lot of pain.  Her orthopedic surgeon told her, she would probably always have that pain, that the surgery was just to move the disc off the nerve and it was considered a complete success.   So I learned a very valuable lesson, you better make sure you ask the right questions when things like that happen.  I had my own problems with my back and refused to operate.  I rather deal without anyone cutting on my back!  So far, I have avoided it, and have used chiropractic care, acupuncture, nerve blocks, RF-A's, which for me worked the best.  It's time for me to do my S1-S3 RF-A which lasts for me 12 to 15 months, and am gonna have to do L3-L6.  Did the nerve block testing, waiting for insurance to approve the procedure.  Suppose to do it the 3/7 but insurance has approved so I told them we will wait until they approve it.  I can live with it, it's bearable.   I hope that will easy your mind, there are other things to do without surgery now.  I did a traction thing for it was a few months and my bulging discs popped back in place!  Good Luck and I wish the Best of Luck for you!  Thank You for serving and putting your life on the line.
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