Help with my cervical MRI results - why?

[dax0007]

Hello,I am36yo male.Idont know where to start but Iam curently STILL inpain after1yr old car accident.
RECENT MRI:
->FINDINGS:
IMPRESSION:
There is reversal ofthe normal cervicalcurature.No suspiciou marrow replacing lesions.No intrinsic cord lesions.There isno abnormality atthe foramen magnum.Note of ow lying cerebellar tonsils is made.NO Chiari malformation.
There's miIld reversal of the normal cervical curvature. Cervical body is otherwise normanlly alighned.
Degenerative changes are prominent at C5-6 with disc space narrowing and anterior endplate spurring. There is some broad annular bulging with a superimoed left central andleft posterior lateral dishrniation.s imresses upon the ventral aspect of the cord toward the lef slightly displacing the cord.  The left c6 root is obscured. The right C6 root is well demoatrated.
At C6-7 there is annular bulging witha SUPERIMPOSE LEFT central broad based protusion. A CSH space remains aboout the cord.  There is moderate left  foraminal encroachment. The LEFT C7 is not as well demonstated. as the right C7.
At C3-4 there is severe right neural forminal encroachment. THe right C4 root is not as well demo s the left C4.
Other multilvel degenerative change as described in te detail above.
SIGNED M.D.
Thanks for everyones patinence.. I wanted to give u the WHOLE REPORT.. Okay here are my questions:
1)My NEURO said accident DIDNOT cause MY NECK TROUBLES.He said I have had these ISSUES for YRS.
Could he be right? Before the accident I would work out
2) My NERO said NO NECK SURGERY.He said pain will go away..?
3) Does my MRI show that I have COMPRESSION?  If I am say in another accident can I be paralized much easier?
4) Why do i still get neck tightness if i do just about anything(pickup my 20lbs child over my head)
5) Would BONE SPUR be causing this pain? My father hs degen issues for years
PLEASE HELP!!Thanks FOR EVERYONES HELP! Please contact me here or at donald_ wardy AT COMCAST DOT NET
Thanks Don

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Please find my answers -

1) If i do get the physiotherpy would it help me even though it has been over year past my INJURY?
                       Physiotherapy , which is done under supervision with good pain relievers will surely help you.

2) My NEW MRI changed from my OLD MRI where it talks about
reversal of the normal cervical and NOW it changed to straightening of the normal cervical lordosis.. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Both are same. Normally the neck has a curve which is called as "Lordosis".

Regards

[dax0007]

Dr.Ghosh,
Thanks u so MUCH for your answers and time.. Its been a YEAR since the accident.. I dont have any pain down my arm(after the accident i did have pain run down my forearm..like burning feeling. no numbness or finger issues) My pain is sometimes when I RAISE MY left hand over my head and look up, like changing a LIGHT BULB my neck will tighten up OR if I do anytype of GYM exercise that strains my neck my neck will tighten up for 24-48hrs, then go back to normal.. Massage helps loosen it....   ALSO  I just got my NEW MRI results TODAY.. Everything on the NEW MRI is about the same for the C2-C7, BUT they said something different in the begining of the MRI

The original MRI said  "THERE is revesal of the normal cervical curvature."
The NEW MRI said " There is straightening of the normal cervical lordosis."? --
Is this different?  Why would a MRI from 10/09 say "reversal of the normal cervicalcurvature, THEN CHANGE of a MRI done on 3/2010?

Please answer these questions:
1) If i do get the physiotherpy would it help me even though it has been over year past my INJURY?
2) My NEW MRI changed from my OLD MRI where it talks about
reversal of the normal cervical and NOW it changed to straightening of the normal cervical lordosis.. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

THANKS SO MUCH and sorry for all the questions.
Don

[dax0007]

Doctor  one more question(THANK IN ADVANCE)
Sorry one more question.. I am ALSO CONCERENED about my MRI STATES

"There is no abnormality at the foramen magnum.Note of LOW lying cerebellar tonsils is made.NO Chiari malformation"

NONE OF MY DOCTORS seemed concerned about this?? Can this turn into Chiari #1??

It dont sound good?

Thanks
Don

[dax0007]

Hello Dr. Ghosh,  Thanks for the followup!

Well I did start physical therapy and the traction (15lbs) does not make me feel good...
Massage therpy really losens up the muscles which relieves all the pain caused by the
muscle spasms..  I will keep trying the tractions for a few weeks-- DOCTOR DO U THINK
THIS TRACTION WILL REALL HELP ME? I READ U NEED ATLEAST 25lbs for it to make a DIFFERENCE.. 15lbs is HARD ENOUGH FOR ME..

I have notice that just recently the nerve that was aggravated in my neck appears to be calming down ... This whole experience over the past year has made me realize that when ever i aggrevate the nerve I will just have pain and discomfort for a few months till it settles..  The smallast thing can cause the aggravation, but then sometimes i can lift 150lbs and not have a issue..

I did talk to a neuro surgeon who said I was NOT bad enough for surgury. He looked at my cervical MRI and said he saw Rupture disc(c5-6) and mild buldging disc(c3-4, c6-7)... He said I did a have a few placing were bone spurs were lighly touching nerve roots and degeneration, but he clearly said he WOULD not recommend surgery intill I had more issues and exact findings on a mri..  

My Uncle just had DISC REPLACMENT SURGERY and said it was one of the easiest surgerys he has been through(he had FUSION done 10 years ago)...

Anyways do you thin I should keep doing the TRACTION?  I do feel better AFTER doing it, but then the next time my neck tightens up some..

Thanks for all your valuable help! Its nice to know i can get 3rd valuable opinion..

Take care
Don
Miami,Fl

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
So what is the latest progress..
Regards

[dax0007]

Dr.Ghosh,  Once again thanks for your time..  I have phsyical therpy all setup thru my Orthopedcsurgeon..  

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Donald,
Many thanks for the post. Please find my answers marked against your questions-

1)My NEURO said accident DIDNOT cause MY NECK TROUBLES.He said I have had these ISSUES for YRS.Could he be right? Before the accident I would work out

            Yes he is right.You have got degenerative disease. However the accident has aggravated the issue, and due to this your cervical curvature is shoving reversal of curve.
Hence i would suggest that the severity has increased.

2) My NERO said NO NECK SURGERY.He said pain will go away..?
                
A failure of medical treatment for 6 weeks with physiotherapy warrants the need for more active therapy(Tapering steroids therapy) and failure of the same would trigger the need for surgery.

3) Does my MRI show that I have COMPRESSION?  If I am say in another accident can I be paralized much easier?

       The chances are remote and depends upon  the severity of the accident.

4) Why do i still get neck tightness if i do just about anything(pickup my 20lbs child over my head)

This is happening due to muscle weakness and spasm (evident in the MRI via reversal of normal cervical curvature). Hence physiotherapy is important. to build up the muscle mass.

5) Would BONE SPUR be causing this pain? My father hs degen issues for years

        Yes it can be a cause of pain.

6) NONE OF MY DOCTORS seemed concerned about this?? Can this turn into Chiari #1??

Less chances. Can't really comment, seeing the present scenario.


What i think is that you were not advised proper physiotherapy by  the treating doctor.
So please go for a second opinion from an orthopaedician and then we can decide.

Feel free for further discussion.
Regards....