pain in neck back

[desireedjb]

I just had a mri done and I dont understand what it means.
I have neck & back pain for the last 5 years. I woke up two days ago and my right leg is numb and hurts to walk on.
does anyone know if the results of my mri means?

Loss of the normal cervical curve.
C3-4 Shallow osteophytic complex eccentric to the left taterally. no stenosis
C5-6 Shallow disc bulge. Minimal bilateral fecet arthropathy. There is mild bilateral neural forminal stenosis.
C6-7 Disc space nerrowing. Disc bulges extending into the foramina bilaterally asymetric towards the right. Moderate right neural forminal stenoisis. Mild left neural forminal stenosis.
L3-4 Shallow disc bulge posteriorly. no stenosis
L4-5 Disc Bulge with central disc protrusion superimposed. Disc bulge asymmetric towards the left. There is mild narrowing of the left neural foramen.
L5-S1 Desiccation of the disc. Disc space height is maintained. Disc bulge posteriorly. Central disc protrusion extends into the anterior epidural space impressing upon the ventral aspect of the thecal sac. no significant stenosis

I went to the doctor yesterday he didnt have this new mri that I just had done, just the old one. he checked the reflex in my knee and said since it was good that I just pulled a muscle and it wasnt my siatic nerve. and that my mri results were normal and thats not whats causing my pain. and I dont understand that!!!! I''m in alot of pain it keeps me from sleeping, working and just living a normal life!!! Ive had daily headaches for 5 years. I'm starting to get depressed because I'm in so much pain.

[DottieK]

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves.

This website will show you a map of the spine and tell you which level, if compressed, affects what part of your body. Such as, C7 affects the triceps.
http://www.makoa.org/scimap.htm

a couple of good websites are www.spineuneverse.com and          spine-health.com

You should be examined by a qualified neurologist who will interpret your MRI results. Ordinary physicians aren't qualified to analyze MRI results as well as determine where your pain is coming from.

I was in pain for many years because my physician (who I trusted completely) did not refer me to a neurologist as he should have. Now I have a different doctor (woman) who listens to what I have to say and is not afraid to refer me to specialists.

You need to take control of your health by reading up on medical conditions and see what applies to you. Google the words in your MRI report to find out what they mean. Follow links and check out spinal websites. The more informed you become, the easier it is to understand what's going on with your body. Insist on having doctors persue all health problems. You are your own best advocate.

Insist on getting copies of all medical reports and doctor findings.

Keep track of each doctor visit, test and the results. Also what hurts, where, how long, and what type of pain you are having. Often, when facing a doctor, we don't remember all that has happened and it makes it more difficult for him/her to pinpoint a problem.

The following is an exerpt of my medical history:
08/10/06 Dr. Lee Thibodeau; cervical spondylosis; myelopathy; cervical spinal stenosis
09/12/06 Anterior cervical disketomy and fusion on C4-5 and C5-6; Dr. Lee Thibodeau
01/11/07 Slipped and fell with left leg under me on outdoor stairs; left hip flexor, quad and hamstring sprains
01/17/07 Exam by Dr. Shepherd; hip x-ray at Mercy Hospital; PT eval by Michel Brunet of Back in Motion PT
03/22/07 Tripped on rug fell face first onto 2-step stool at daycare; facial bruising; black eye; cut on forehead
05/23/07 Resumed aquatic exercises 3x per week
Good luck
DottieK

[desireedjb]

Thank you for the advise! I have just recently started asking for copies of my records. and I have been looking up results from the mri since i posted this. I have found that foraminal is the opening where the nerves come out of spine, and stenosis means narrowing. my mri says  moderate. I'm just wondering if that can cause pain or not.
I hope you have a good day!!! and thanks again

[DottieK]

Yes, if there is any compression of a nerve as it exits the spine you will definitely have pain. It is not normal to have numbness in your leg either. You should get a second opinion.

Your doctor did the right thing in checking your deep tendon reflexes.
Reflexes are actions performed involuntarily in response to impulses sent to the central nervous system. Alterations in reflexes are often the first sign of neurological dysfunction. But it is only ONE test.

Did he do a Babinski's test? Google this for additional info
Plantar Response (Babinski)

Stroke the lateral aspect of the sole of each foot with the end of a reflex hammer or key.
Note movement of the toes, normally flexion (withdrawal). (big toe goes down)
Extension (upward movement) of the big toe with fanning of the other toes is abnormal. This is referred to as a positive Babinski

Did he ask you if you get an electric feeling going down your spine when you bend over?
Google L'Hermitte's sign. This is another indication that something is not normal neurologically. Also Google neurological tests. You will soon realize that there is a lot more that can be done besides testing reflexes.

Keep on trucking!
DottieK