c5-6 c6-7

I was rear-ended in an auto accident in January - since then I've had a constant headache with left sholder pain, and intermitant pain in left and right hand, sholder, leg and buttock.  But mostly the left sholder and left pinky.  I just my MRI refults - and now they want to send me for a back MRI and to the Ortho.  present MRI is annualr bulge at the C5-6 and C6-7.  causes slight narrowing of the anterior subarachnoid space, but does not appear to cuase any neural dispalcement.  the laterial recesses are widely patent.  diffuse desiccation is seen.

After researching.  Bulging is the least of the damage I can find to the disc.  Does this mean that the pain will go away in time or what?  are they attempting to find some other place for the source of it?  or what?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Without personally examining you or reviewing your MRI films, I cannot make an accurate medical opinion nor can I predict whether or not the pain will go away.  WHat I can say is that the MRI certainly does not explain all of your symptoms.  A disc bulge at C5-6 and C6-7 would not cause problems with your pinky and does not explain the leg and buttock pain (which would be a problem lower down in the spine - that's why they want to send you back for more), but could possibly be affecting the shoulder if a nerve is being pinched.  ANother possibility is that these are just muscle spasms following the car accident.

For further localization, an EMG can be helpful in determining if there is any nerve damage and which ones are affected.  Good luck.