Have had a progression of symptoms since February with numbness and tingling in left hand and foot to increased pain in neck and back, with neck pain being more severe right now.
Have seen GP, 2 Neurologists, Orthopedist, Rheumatologist, Chiropractor. Have had blood work, Lumbar and Cervical spine MRI, Brain MRI, urinalysis, nerve conduction study, and most recently Echocardiogram. Without boring you with all the details, I am trying to make a decision about surgery...on my cervical spine. The back will have to wait for now. In regards to my neck pain, my Ortho says that he can only give me about a 50% chance of pain relief since I don't have a lot of pain in my arm. Apparently studies support this. The neck pain can be truly horrible at times.
The MRI says:
C5-6. Appears to be ...compromise to the foramen to the left related to a posterior lateral disk protrusion to the left. Produces a borderline central canal caudal foraminal stenosis and left lateral recess stenosis. Facettes moderately hypertrophic.
C6-7. Mild encroachment foramen to the right. Minimal diffuse disk protrusion. Right lateral recess is borderline. Central canal is widely patent.
Blah, blah, blah.
I have read, understand what stenosis is and the mechanics of it all. When I read it, I think that doesn't sound so bad...borderline....mild. However, I have been in pain for 7 or so months and it effects every part of my life. I am not a whimp! Anyone have input?