Cervical Radiculopathy

[CharlieI]

I had surgery in August of 2003 due to osteophyte/disk herniation complex at c6-c7 on the right sided spinal canal stenosis and mild right sided cord compression, with a small central disk herniation at c5-c6 level with mild stenosis.  Now I'm having the same sysmptoms on both the right and left levels.  MRI tests show mild left herniation on the left side with bone spurs on the c6-c7 levels.  My Neurosurgeon feels I have Osteophyte disease since when the first surgery began, he found bone spurs and fragments that didn't show up on the Myelogram.  I have been denied disability.  My question is, how long do bone spurs stay located where they are, and can more appear.  What exactly is Osteophyte disease and stenosis?

[mar807]

A related discussion, Chronic Pain Variation was started.

[CharlieI]

I've had an MRI as of July 2004, one year after the fusion that states a diffuse osterior osteophytic ridge at c6-c7 resulting in effacement of CSF space and ventral cord flattening without cor myelopathic changes.  Also, moderately severe bilateral forminal stenosis secondary to uncovertebral joint hypertrophy and spur formation.  At c5-c6, there is diffuse posterior osteophytic ridge with left paramedian disc protrusion resulting in effacement of CSF space and left ventral cord deformity without cord myelopathic changes.  There is moderately severe left forminal stenosis due to uncovertebral spur formation and hypertrophy.  What does all this mean.  And what is spondylotic changes at c5-c6 areas?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

An osteophyte is an outgrowth of the underlying bone. In this case it is from the vertebral bone. The osteophytes do not disappear over time, and may become worse. They can also break off from the main part of the bone, and these are called fragments. Osteophytes are typically part of a degenerative process and more can occur over time. Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal is a boney ring formed by the vertebrae, through which the spinal cord and nerves travel. A CT myelogram may be helpful in investigating this problem. Good luck.