Simplify MRI Findings

[scottie482]

I was recently in a auto accident, and I had an MRI (cervical & thoracic) performed on June 25th of this year.   I do not completely understand the findings of the cervical.  Could you please simply the results I do not understand?

C3/4: Posterior disk osteophyte complex.  Mild inferior migration of disk material.  Minimal effacement of ventral CSF but no significant stenosis.
C4/5:  Small posterior disk osteophyte complex.
C5/6:  Small posterior disk osteophyte complex with small bilateral unconvertebral osteophytes with mild neural foraminal stenosis
C6/7:  Grossly unremarkable
C7/T1:  Small central/left paracentral disk protrusion with minimal effacement of ventral CSF.  No significant neural foraminal stenosis.

Impression:  Reversal of normal lordotic curvature like related to muscle spasm or positioning.

Mild cervical sponylosis most pronounced at C3/4.  

Symptoms:  Pain in neck, shoulders with pain in left arm, and tingling sensation in hands and muscle spasms in back.  I've never had these problems before.  

Thank You!

[dr_simran]

Hi,

Spinal stenosis results from progressive narrowing of the central spinal canal and the lateral resesses.
Narrowing of the neural foramina of the spine, mainly cervical and lumbosacral, due to degenerative hypertrophy of the bony cartilaginous structures that delineate their contour.
Osteophytes and uncovertebral or degenerative joint hypertrophy, are the main cause of stenosis .
Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are bony projections that form along joints and cause narrowing or stenosis of the spinal cord.
When viewed from the side, the normal cervical spine curves slightly inward. This inward curve is called lordosis The stability of the cervical spine and its ability to stay in the lordotic position depends on other parts of the spine. The vertebral bodies need to be strong enough to support the head and keep the normal shape of the spine. The facet joints, ligaments, and soft tissues in the back of the neck and back must be strong. And the muscles in the back must be able to resist the effect of gravity pulling the head forward. If there is damage to any of these three areas, a kyphotic deformity can develop, and the weight of the head can cause reversal of the normal curvature of the spine.
Refer http://www.allaboutbackandneckpain.com/html/spinesub.asp?id=53

Best