I just got my report with the results of my neck MRI. I was in a six-car accident on Sept 15. I was the last car to be rear-ended. It felt like someone had punched me in the middle of my back upon impact. I had an x-ray that should I had arthritis in my neck. I was already aware that I had spondylodesis. I had never had neck, shoulder, arm pain and weakness prior to this accident. I now am experiencing all of that and unbearable pain that has resulted in me having to get the epidural shots in my neck and lower back.
Lastly, I've been told that the injury to my spine "whiplash" from the car accident, accelerated my condition and is the reason I am now in pain. I have to wait a week to see the doctor to explain the results. I hope someone can help me with what I am reading from my report here.
MRI w/out contrast
Findings
Vertebrae: Marrow signal within normal limits. Multilevel disc desiccation.
Alignment: Normal
Spinal cord: Normal signal and contour.
Cervicocranial junction: No significant focal abnormality.
C1-C2: No significant mass effect on the spinal canal or foramina.
C2-C3: Mild broad-based disc bulge. No significant mass effect on the spinal canal or foramina.
C3-C4: Broad-based disc bulge with slight narrowing of the left exit foramen without significant nerve root compression. No significant mass effect on the spinal canal.
C4-C5: Hypertrophic uncovertebral and facet joint changes cause moderate bony stenosis of the exit foramen on the left with some potential nerve root compression. Minimal narrowing is present on the right. No significant central canal stenosis.
C5-C6: Moderate to severe facet and uncovertebral joint hypertrophy is with broad-based disc bulge and right-sided foraminal region disc herniation cause severe foraminal stenosis on the right with nerve root compression. The central canal is mildly narrowed to about 9mm.
C6-C7: Broad-base disc bulge with mild foraminal narrowing bilaterally without significant canal stenosis. No obvious nerve root compression.
C7-T1: Nosignificant mass effect on the spinal canal or foramina.
IMPRESSION:
Degenrative disc and facet changes at multiple levels. There is significant exit foraminal stenosis with nerve root compression on the left at C4-5 and on the right at C5-6. Significant chronic appearing foraminal disc extrusion is present at C5-6.
There is mild canal stenosis at C5-6.