Would you be able to tell me what all of this means in layman terms?

[tinkerbell62]

I had an MRI on 12/24/14 and the results are as follows :

C5C6:Left paracentral and foraminal disc protrusion and bilateral uncovertebral facet
degenerative changes superimposed on intrinsic narrowing of the central canal results in
moderate central canal, moderate left lateral recess, moderate to severe left foraminal, and
mild right foraminal stenosis.

C4C5:
Tiny left paracentral protrusion superimposed on intrinsic narrowing of the central canal
results in trace central canal stenosis. No significant foraminal stenosis.

C3C4:
Mild bilateral facet and uncovertebral degenerative changes results in mild bilateral
foraminal stenosis. No significant central canal stenosis.

[caregiver222]

Good answer, philnoir.

Imagine a hollow plastic tube willed with fluid passing through a small opening. Of course there is no liquid in a nerve connection. But stenosis means a narrowing of the hole through which the tubing (or nerve) moves. Positioning the head in certain ways compresses the tube more or less. In the case of a nerve this causes irritation and numbness where the nerve ends up.

So we have a problem with a narrowing of ther passageway through which the nerves pass.

Somehow the cartilidge has become deformed and protrudes through the segments of the vertebra. This causes inflammation, pain, and tingling or numbness.

Cutting to the chase the underlying problem is why the spinal column is deterioratiog?

This can be due to a genetic problem, a disease process, or secondary to an injury. Sometimes the doctor's never figure out what causes the problem.

In general, the treatment is to reduce inflammation and then use mild axial traction to permit the squished cartilidge to go back in position These segments contain a lot of fluid so keeping well hydrated with electrolytes helps.

Prednisone works well, but has terrible side effects over an extended period of time. Thus we come to the class of drugs known as NSAIDS.

There are other treatments to reduce pain, to include a transdermal lidocaine patch, which work, but can result in further injury  because you will move not knowing you are causing damage.

DSMO will work well, in a cream, applies very carefully to avoid introducing contaminants into the bloodstream. It is available at health food stores.

You need a consult with a rheumatologist, to see if the nature of the degenerative process can be identified and stopped.

Avoid foods such as nightshades, (eggplant skins, tomato skins and potato skins), which contain substances that inflame the spine.

There are two directions to go in. One is to avoid movement and the other is to force movement through the limits of pain.

Consult your doctor about this. Do NOT wear a cervical collar, as it causes muscle atrophy.

Failure to move through the limits of pain usually mean ending up with a frozen shoulder.

I suggest you look up the website of Dr. Jerome Groopman, who has his article posted that appeared in the New Yorker "A knife in the back", discussing the problem and surgical alternatives.

[philnoir]

The report speaks of degenerative changes in the discs of your neck. The worse problems seem to be at C5-C6.

When discs bulge they intrude on the space where nerve roots that exit on either side to innervate the neck, arms, and shoulders. Disc material and scar tissue can also press on the spinal cord.

This condition is called stenosis. When stenosis causes an impingement of the nerve roots, it can cause pain in the neck, arms, and shoulders.

Mild cases are treated with NSAIDs and physical therapy. Severe cases that are in danger of damaging the nerve root or occluding the cord require surgery.

Your doc will give you a diagnosis and suggest a course of treatment.