cervical spondylosis

My symptoms started with burning sensations in my arms and legs and eventually I was sent to a neurologist after having an MRI of my brain.  The MRI showed nonspecific white matter changes in my brain possibly due to migraine headache.  The neurologist sent me for an MRI of my spine and this is what it shows: A congenitally narrowed A/P diameter of the spinal cord with cervical spondylosis most sever at the C4-5 and C5-6 levels. C3-4 shows right paracentric focal disc bulge present which effaces the anterior subarachnoid space and flattens the cervical spinal cord.  Same for C4-5 except the disc bulge is focal central. C5-6 same as 3-4.  The neuro foramina are normal in caliber, there is no evidence of demyelination and the cervical vertebral junction is normal.  There is no evidence of myelomalcia.

I went to see a neurosurgeon and he was very nice.  He said it wouldn't hurt to wait a little while until surgery but that one of the discs is eventually going to touch my spinal cord.  We are starting with some physical therapy.

My question is what does the radiologist mean when she says the spinal cord is flat? And the anterior subarachnoid space is effaced?  Am I really ok waiting a few months before surgery?  If my spinal cord is flat is it going to damage it?  I don't have any pain in my neck with this.  I have some pain in the middle of my back and some burning mostly in my left arm and some pins and needles off and on in my left hand.

I am currently in the middle of moving back from Nebraska to Illinois.  I am 31 years old with 2 children.  What are your thoughts

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

Without looking at the films I cannot make recommendations regarding treatment. The spinal cord sits within the spinal canal (boney canal formed by the vertebrae) which protects the spinal cord. Around the spinal cord are fluid filled spaces which the cord "floats or lies in". When a disc bulges it first pushes on the fluid space (arachnoid space), and can then begin to push on the spinal cord. However, if it is merely touching the cord, it typically is not causing damage. However, when the bulging or narrowing becomes greater then the spinal cord gets squeezed between the front and back of the spinal canal, and this is when damage can occur. If you are questioning the first surgeons adivce you could either see another surgeon or consult a neurologist. Good luck.

[Sovereign57]

I hope you are going to Chicago. The top spine and neck surgeon there is Dr Cerrillo. I have heard all cervical surgery should be done from the front (neck) to minimize more damage to all the nerves coming out of the back of the neck. I think he works out of Rush (downtown) hospital and also out of CINN (Chicago Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. I had two of my brain surgeries there last year and they are the best. I also know about them due to my cousin had been a nurse for him a long time. One of my uncles also had cervical surgery done by his group and god bless him, he is well into his 70's and has not had any problems since having the surgery.

If you would like their phone number, email me and I'll send it to you. Be sure to bring your films if you go for a consult.

Regards,
Eileen Colgan
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