Cervical MRI report 4-16-10

Question

Just got my MRI report back, Can someone put it in laymans terms please? I don't see the Neurologist until Wednesday to review the results. What's he likely to say? Here is the report...

FINDINGS:
At C2-C3, C3-C4, and C4-C5 levels, no specific abnormality is identified.

At the C-5-C6 level, circumferential bulging of the C5-C6 disc is noted accompanied by facet joint hypertrophic changes bilaterally resulting in moderately severe narrowing of both neural foramina resulting in slight impingement on both C5 nerve and roots

At the C6-C7 level, mild circumferential bulging of the C6-C7 disc is noted accompanied by facet joint hypertrophic changes bilaterally resulting in mild compression of the right neural formania and moderate compression of the left neural foramina but no evidence of  impingement on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

At the C7-T1 level, No specific abnormality is identified.

IMPRESSION:

1: Moderately severe bilateral neural foraminal stenosis at the C5-C6 level resulting in slight impingement on both C5 nerve and roots.

2: Mild right and moderate left neural foraminal stenosis at the C6-C7 level without evidence of impingement on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Sorry that was so long :\ Any help is very much appreciated. Thank you.

anuragsrivastava · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your question. I think your symptoms may be due to nerve irritation in the cervical (neck) spine because of cervical stenosis. This pain may be referred and perceived as occurring in the back of head & shoulders (as electric sensation)- LHERMITTES SIGN, arms or chest, rather than just the neck. Other symptoms may include vertigo, nausea (dizziness) and stiffness. It will be best that you consult a neurologist who would like to prescribe Pain killers, steroid and muscle relaxants. Other treatments could be cervical orthosis such as a soft cervical collar or stiffer neck brace to restrict neck movement till you get complete recovery. In addition, cervical traction may also be suggested by the doctor, if condition is severe. Hope this helps.

Londres70 · Answer

I was just thinking about you the other day wondering what happened.  Sorry to hear you are more miserable and STILL WORKING.  ):   

Hopefully the injections will help relieve your misery.  (:  Pain makes for a VERY unhappy camper.  The headaches I am sure are related to your neck.  

I have carpal tunnel too and it bothers me from time to time, but not worth surgery.  

You gotta love WC (Workers' Comp); NOT!

garbageman · Answer

Hi Londres70! 
Well its been 7 weeks since I posted anything. And its not been fun. Nothing has really changed except I get horrible headaches a few times a week which I dont even know if it's related to my neck problem but nothing seems to help make those go away, they last for hours and hours. The neurologist finally talked me into vicodin to help me sleep at night and I guess it has helped a little bit but not much.Workers comp knows how to drag thier feet. :\ I've just got back from visiting the Orthopedic surgeon. He has suggested a cervical epidural injection. (Which I kind of figured after reading alot of posts on here would be the next suggestion) I just hope it helps. During all of this, they have also figured out I have severe carpal tunnel syndrom which I go see a hand surgeon tomorrow to set up a surgery date. I've told both the orthopedic surgeon and the neurologist I didnt care about my carpal tunnel since it is not bothering me, all I want is my neck and arm to stop hurting and they agreed that I could have the wrist taken care of at anytime and that my neck should be dealt with first so as you would guess, workers comp starts moving quickly on the carpal tunnel problem and keeps draggin on with my neck. I don't have an appointment yet for the cervical injection but I should know more this week. I will be SO happy if this injection relieves my pain! I've been SO miserable. Even the neurologist has told me "It's taking its toll on you, you use to come in the office and have everyone smiling, now your very withdrawn and quiet, I can see where it has changed your mood" I told him, "Duh! I'm miserable! I don't even have friends come over anymore because I dont feel like sitting and chit chatting" I basically come home from work (Yes STILL trying to do my part and keep working) and lay around until it's time to get up the next day and go to work. This is no kind of life. ok, I'm sorry, I have rambled on and on. lol. Just thought I'd throw and update out there since I've been waitng and waiting for DR appointment and now it looks like things are moving for me so we'll see how it goes. Thanks for the ear :)

Londres70 · Answer

Well, if the pain gets worse, please ask for something.  There are so many these days that are easier on the stomach.  Well, at least you have an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant.  

Again, if you get to the point you CANNOT move/use the arm AT ALL before getting into seeing the OS, please go to the ER.  

Keep me posted.  :)

garbageman · Answer

Thanks for responding :) It actually helps having someone to talk to about this. Yes I'm working, well I've taken 2 weeks vacation in the last 8 weeks thinking rest would help but it hasnt.  I havent heard back on the OS appointment yet. I should hear today. I am taking Skelaxin and Ibuprofen but no pain medication. He did ask me which pain meds I prefer but I told him most pain meds upset my stomach so he didnt prescribe any. I've got a pretty high tolerance to pain, Had a bicep tendon rupture repaired and 2 ACL reconstructions in the past 10 years and handled them pretty well. But NOTHING compares to this. There are times I actually sit and think "What are you complaining about, there are people who's spine is so messed up they cant even get out of bed!" Here I am still able to work and yet I complain :\    I'll post an update when I see the OS. Thanks again :)

Londres70 · Answer

Sounds like you need surgery like yesterday.  The nerve damage and pinched nerve/roots have really affected your left arm.  Are you working at this time?  Don't know how you could be if you are.  If you are not working, best thing is to not challenge the arm with alot of activity unfortunately.  When do you see the OS?  

Secondly, no pain medication was prescribed to you by the Neurologist?  You should probably be taking pain medication in combination with an anti-inflammatory until you get in to see this OS.  I would be asking the Neurologist for something to take. 

Lastly, if this is persisting for hours, an ER trip would not be a bad idea.  

Keep me posted.

garbageman · Answer

To be honest, the "Neck" pain is tolerable. It's irrating and uncomfortable but  The left shoulder\bicep	ricep\forearm finger pain is what bothers me the most. I just woke up a half hour ago, from pain in this region. It feels like I've lifted a car and help it for an hour! Feel like i have no strength in my left arm. I notice I just hang it down my side when im sitting or walking cause it basically feels "unusable" I just dont know why it's so painful in the arm area. or what to do about it.

Londres70 · Answer

Well, the Orthopedic Surgeon referral means surgery to correct this.  You have muscle weakness and nerve damage, so.....the Neurologist thinks you need surgery before you get more muscle weakness and nerve damage. You are beyond the Neurologist's help.

Secondly, when you go to the OS, ask him/her about his/her expertise with spine surgery and how many he/she does in a year.  Some OS don't have an extensive background/knowlegde of doing spine surgery.  In other words, ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS IF NEEDED.  

Keep us posted.

garbageman · Answer

Here's my update: My neurologist referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. (Appt. Not yet known) My neurologist didnt really say much to me except, my EMG/NCS tests showed moderat\severe muscle weakness and severe nerve damage in the D3-D4, left median sensory response was unobtainable in that area? something like that. With that test result and the above MRI result I don't understand why he would refer me to an orthopedic surgeon? I don't know alot about this stuff, this is really my first experence with bad neck\shoulder\left arm pain. I really wish it would go away, Its quite miserable day in and day out living with this. I feel horrible for people with spine problems A LOT which are certaintly worse then mine. Any info or Ideas on what an orthopedist might suggest is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Londres70 · Answer

Well, your problem starts at C5 and ends at C7; your cervical spine.  You have two bulging disks:C5-C6 and C6-C7 plus pinched nerve and roots at C5.  

I would be surprised if you are NOT having pain, tingling, numbness in your neck, upper back, arms.  

Hope that helps.

Keep us posted.