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MRI Diagnosis

MRI says C5-6 There is a mild disc osteopohyte complex.  No significant canal or foraminal encroachment.  A nurse friend of mine tells me it means I have a bone spur there.  I've been told I have bone spurs on my heals, knees, elbows and even on some of the roots of my teeth. I did have on spur from one heal removed.  I have had a numb left hand almost 24/7, and anytime I pick anything up with my left hand I get a bad pain from the inner side of the elbow area - I have dropped items because of this.  This has been going on for 2 months.  I've had neck trouble for years - I've had physical theropy and I do neck exercises.  So here is what I'd like your opinion on :  1.  Is there anything I can do to stop these things from growing ie: not take a certain vitimans or some food that's not helping.  2.  I really feel i need to get this spur removed from my neck as my neck has been a bother to me for years - even keeping me from sleeping.

What r your thoughts?
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562599 tn?1217008125
I too, have bone spurs in neck, low back, heel and TMJ.  Are you hypothyroid also?

I also have a dystrophic bone mass on T1-T2 which was removed about five years ago and I think is back again which was pushing my thecal sac to the side.

When you start aging and I think your birthday must be in 1960 and mine is 1961 and once you get a certain age you start getting bone spurs, aka osteophytes, aka exostosis, etc from aging. It is a part of aging.  Some people are symptomatic and some aren't.  

Have you had an EMG performed to rule out carpal tunnel syndrome or cervical radiculopathy?   I

No significant canal or foraminal encroachment  - meaning it is not touching the spinal cord or foramen if I remember correctly.

Don't get too excited at the prospect of having surgery.  I have had my fair share of surgery and they aren't  any fun by no means and no guarantee of  success.  

Also, having cervical spine surgery on the anterior (front) of the neck, there is a possibility that you can have a paralyzed vocal cord, which  happened to me on the last cervical spine surgery I had.   It is permanent and I have had to had silastic implants put in twice.  More expense and more problems for me to say the least.  I was aspirating liquids in my lungs.

I hope I didn't scare you.

Did you make an appointment with a neurosurgeon yet?  They may do surgery, may send you for pain management????   The epidurals shots in the neck  or lumbar spine never helped me at all.

Good luck.

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Avatar universal
you will go through all kinds of therapies and wind up with a discectomy and fusion operation...see a neurosurgeon
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