question regarding recent cervical mri

[kerrpup]

I recently had a cervical mri and have seen a neurosurgeon and wanted to see if anyone else has this same problem and what they have tried (even surgery) that has or hasn't worked. Here is my results from the mri:

Findings: The cranial-cervical junction is normal. Cervical vertebral body height and alignment are maintained.
There is straightening of the cervical spine. Normal bone morrow signal.
C2-3 demonstrates no central canal or neural foraminal stenosis
C3-4 demonstrates mild central disc osteophyte complex. There is 10% central canal and no neural foraminal stenosis.
C4-5 demonstrates mild central disc osteophyte complex. There is 10% central canal and no neural foraminal stenosis.
C6-7 demonstrates mild central disc osteophyte complex. There is 10% central canal and no neural foraminal stenosis.
C7-T1 demonstrates mild central disc osteophyte complex, There is 10% central canal and no neural foraminal stenosis.
Conclusion: Mild Cervical Spinal Stenosis as described above.

I have had neck pain for several years (at least 2-3 yrs) now and there are times that I feel if I move my head to either side it will paralyze me (granted I don't think that will happen but that is the best way to describe it) and if I could have someone snap my neck in two I would feel better. Recent (in June) started having headaches and my vision is getting worse despite wearing glasses. I have stiffness throughout the day and the regular therapies (ice,heat,over the counter meds,anti flammatory) isn't helping. I have tried chiropractors, yoga, water aerobics, massages and I still can't get any relief. There are times that I feel my head feeling up with pressure and it doesn't help with my concentration either. So the new neurosurgeon that I seen stated I need a discogram because I have bulging disc on different levels and that depending on the results of the test will depend on the type of treatment I receive.

I want to know what the 10% central canal means, is this bad or good consider its a low number? Is bulging disc the same as the mild central osteophyte complex? What can be done about the straightening of the cervical spine. I have been told by another doctor that my results were I had arthritis and degenerative disc disease in my neck, to me I would think the report would mention those but he might have said that after reviewing the actual films???

I am tired of living in pain and not being able to enjoy life and I am only 30 years old. Granted I also have fibromyalgia, facet arthritis and degenerative disc disease in my low back which doesn't help any either. Thank goodness my employer recently allowed me to work from home because I use to drive 20 minutes 1 way to get to work, I know that doesn't sound that far but doing that twice a day will make you have flare ups something terrible. I have lost friends and I have no doubt this has played a roll in my husband deciding to leave me.

Someone help surely I am not the only person with this problem!!!! Thanks for listening

[nuttydave127]

I def feel your pain im only 25 and i keep dealing with chronic neck/shoulder pain

I throw down long hours at a desk job.  Hows your posture?
Are you overweight?
Are you stressed out by all of this?
Can you go swimming/exercise/stretch/yoga?  
How's your bed and pillows? I got this awesome water pillow and a new mattress and im not nearly as stiff and sore when i wake up as i use to be

For me ive noticed that time away from work and relaxing calms my muscle spasms down but once im back on the grind at work things tighten up.  


I had an mri too that showed some damage to my c5 but the doctors keep telling me they dont think its the cause of my problems.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Usually for spinal stenosis and neural foramen narrowing caused by degenerative disease, conservative treatments like hot and cold compress, stretching exercises, back low impact exercises, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, specially designed corsets, spinal manipulation and traction and epidural injections are tried. If everything fails then laminectomy and other spine surgeries may be contemplated. Please consult your doctor regarding this.Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.