Results of a cat scan, what does it all mean and can I fix it on my own?

[Jack462]

Went to the emergency room the other day for my back problems. They performed a cat scan and recommended I see an orthopedic surgeon, but never explained the results of the test to me. What does it mean and can I fix it on my own?
Multiple erosive changes are identified in the vertebral body. A posterior osteophyte is identified at C4-C5 with impingement on the chord. Disc space narrowing is seen at C4-C5 and C5-C6 as well. Additional disc bulge is identified at C5-C6 with impingement on the chord. Multilevel uncovertebral hypertrophy is identified. Emphysematous changes are identified in the lung apices.
There is exaggeration of the normal lordosis. Note is made of a disc bulge at L4-L5 and small disc bulge at L5-S1 with associated calcification. Multiple erosive changes are identified in the posterior elements L5-S1. Please note that evaluation of the neuroforaminal contents is limited on CT.
I have had pain for months now. Do not have medical insurance, so I need to know is this serious? Can I fix myself.

[abhijeet v ghosh]

hi jack,
don't worry.
All you need is proper physical examination and then your treating doctor will do the job. Just trust him for the diagnosis and ask him your doubts.

regards

[Jack462]

Thank you for taking the time to review and answer my question. I will definitely do whatever it takes to see a specialist since the symptoms have progressively gotten worse over the years. Have had whiplash at least 3x, power supply fell on head in the 80's causing concussion and jamming spine. Since than have dealt with spasms, pinched nerves, and minor tingling. But now the symptoms I get actually scared me to the ER. Losing feeling in my right foot, arms, pain down my legs at times, more frequent pain and weakness in my arms and shoulders, etc...
again thank you so much.

Sincerely,
Jack462

[abhijeet v ghosh]

hi jack,
see your neck (C-spine) and Lumbar (L) spine have lot of arthritis and degeneration. Between each vertebrae there are disk, and they have a prescribed position. In your case, these disk have shifted from there position and have gone backwards. Your cervical disk
(C4-5) is pressing on the cord so this can result into neck pain, shoulder pain,numbness,paresthesia, etc.

Problem is that in your lower back the erosion is more and they were not able to judge whether that erosion is causing problem to your Neural foramina (place from where the nerve rootlets emerge out)as it can cause lower back pain as well as numbness, etc,

They might ask you for MRI scan, which is costly.

Visit an orthopaedician, who will eveluate and co-relate you with your scan findings as well as the body's adaptation.

regards