Could someone help me review my MRI?

[ChadJ]

Hi - new guy here, I've been in pain management for over three years now due to a mistake during lung surgery in '06. I have 2 disarticulated ribs at T6 & T7 and I think a few slipped discs as well. This all started when I was 18, I'm 22 now..cut down in my prime..pisses me off. I experience alot of pain as I breathe around the T7 area in the back radiating around to the sterum. Also, I've had back pain as long as I can remember, sometimes severe but growing up, I never had the means to see a doctor so  it's secondary to everything else.

Anyways, my doc is going to dicuss my MRI results with my next week - but I was looking at them myself and  it seems there might be a few herniations. I've included one of the images that I think includes most of the herniations. I'm wondering about the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and mainly the 5th from the bottom of the image.

If anyone is willing to take a look at the entire MRI, let me know and I'll send you the DICOM file.

Thanks,
Chad

[ChadJ]

I don't have the report yet - Maybe tomorrow, I'm just looking at it myself. The fifth up from the bottom, does buldge into the spinal cord - or at least looks that way.

[sandee1818]

Weekends tend to be very slow. It will pick up during the week:)

[JoshuaY46013]

I'm pretty sure the fifth is a dehydrated disc, not a herniated disc.

Do you have the MRI report?

[ChadJ]

I've tried several injections both steroids, and phenol blocks- the last option I have is RF ablation in the costovertebral joint as local anesthetic there remove 90% of my pain until the local wears off, but that's all under the assumption my pain is due only to disarticulated ribs/costovertebral joint damage.

Thank you for your comment - I was hoping for more than 1 reply by now.. but it's sunday.. :)

[sandee1818]

Hi,
   Unfortunately I am not qualified to read an MRI report and I won't try and guess as that will do you no good. There are several treatments for herniated disc, I would definitely try the less invasive options first and leave surgery as a last resort.
There are many people who have had surgery and some do well and there are those who are worst off than they were before the surgery.
The most important thing you can do if you choose the have the surgery is make sure you have the best surgeon you can find. Research and ask how many surgeries the doctor has preformed and how many were successful. this is very important to make certain you have a competent surgeon.
Have you had any treatment to date such as injections and blocks?
I wish you the best and hope you will keep us updated:)

[ChadJ]

Also, since I can't seem to edit my first post - what surgical options are normally offered for herniated discs? Just a disc/partial lamina removal?