Mild Narrowing of the C5/C6

[Ouchies2011]

I've been having pins and needles down my arm and pain in shoulder for about 6 weeks. Every day it seems to be getting worse, I can't do dishes, bath my children or even use the mouse on my computer without the pain escalating to an excrusiating level.

My xrays only showed Mild narrowing of the C5-6 disc space with mild retrolistheses, straightening of cervical lordosis. ( which i don't fully understand what this means)

My question is.... Could there be more going on? If this is mild, I swear i'd shoot myself if it got to moderate or severe.

Besides physio/message therapy, is there anything i can do at home? I'm not covered for the treatment the dr recommended..

Thanks for taking the time to read/respond :)

[coolgoyal]

Hello Everyone,

                    I need help, I am IT guy and my work is like 12 to 15 hours on system and now i am having pain in my neck and shoulder and also got numbness in index finger and thumb, but now after taking treatment my index finger is ok now but my some part of thumb is still have numbness and my MRI report is like

       " SMALL SIZED RIGHT PARACENTRAL AND FORAMINAL DISC EXTRAUSION AT C5-6 LEVEL CAUSING RIGHT NEURAL FORAMINAL NARROWING AND COMPRESSION OF THE EXITING RIGHT C6 NERVE ROOT.
         SMALL POSTEROCENTRAL AND LEFT PARACENTRAL DISC-OSTEOPHYTE COMPLEX AT C4-5 LEVEL INDENTING THE THECAL SAC. SPINAL CANAL. NEURAL FORAMINA AND NERVE ROOTS ARE NORMAL.

I don't want to go for operation for this, please help me in that, coz after 5 years of hard work i got job and now dont want to leave it.

[Ouchies2011]

Thanks for your response. Unfortunatley I have to wait until november to see a neurologist for an unrelated issue. But in the mean time my dr has prescribed Gabapentin (sp?) once a day along with my usual dose of ibrophen and emtec.

No other treatment atm. Will try some light excercise.

[FreedomFitness]

Hi, My MRI shows moderate C5-C6 disc space narrowing and I’m miserable. Really bad neck, shoulder pain and migraines. Also through my arms, like you. I have a couple of mild bulges too and mild stenosis. The doctors say is no big deal and I’m in PT for like fifth time and been doing chiropractic forever. I’m also on gabapentin. I really empathize with your pain and please let me know if you find anything that helps! Thanks.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. I can understand your predicament. The narrowing of C5 C6 disc space could cause compression of the nerve root exiting at the level. This could lead to neurological symptoms of nerve compression in the neck, arm, shoulder and hand. Severe cases it can disturb sleep, gives difficult time in doing chores.
Consult your neurologist who would assess with an MRI spine if there were other spinal levels involved in the degenerative disc disease. Light exercise may help return the disc to place. Avoid contact sports, heavy weight lifting, and running. Painkillers should be taken on a regular schedule and not just in response to pain flare ups. Physiotherapy and epidural injections of steroids may help reduce the inflammation. Severe cases need surgical decompression for relief of symptoms where the section of the disc is cut which puts pressure on the nerves. The trapped nerve can be tested by nerve conduction velocity study. Discuss these options with your doctor. Take care.