How serious are the results of my MRI's? I suffered from a fall in May 2009. What treatment would you suggest? What would your prognosis be for long term care?

[kittytooth]

On my cervical MRI showed degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis, disc herniation and numerous osteophytes.  The neural foraminal was patent bialaterally.  Thorasic spine MRI revealed a 6mm left paracentral disc protrusion at T12-S1, but no disc herniation, no subluxation or loss of vertebral body height.  On my lumbar MRI it revealed hypertrophic degenerative facet disease at L5-S1.  Facet osteophytes are present causing mild foraminal encroachment.  There is a broad based left paracentral disc protrusion at L2-3.  There is a 2mm x 3 mm synovial cyst in the left lateral recess at L5-S1 resulting in nerve root displacement with possible mild compression.  Cervical x-rays revealed facet anthropathy at multiple levels with mild neural foraminal compromise at C5-6, C6-7, & C7-T1  These MRI's and x-rays were taken in 2009.  Would new tests be beneficial.  I suffer from neck pain on right side going down shooulder, arm to fingers.  There is tingling, numbness and pins and needles radiating down  fingers 3-5.  These have increased to 3-4 times per day for last several weeks.  Also have headaches that can not be relieved and are more frequent.  Have low back pain with numbness down both right and left side.  Worse on right side.  Written report says transitional S1 vertebra.  Hypertrophic degenerative facet disease at L5-S1 with synovial cyst resulting in left lateral recess stenosis.  Broad-based left paracentral disc protrusion at L2-L3.  Left paracentral disc protrusion at T12-L1.  Not able to stand or walk for long periods.  Bending over causes a sharp grabbing pain on my right side of back at about waist height.  I have just recently started physical therapy. About 2 weeks.  Not working presently.  Also causing depression.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Kittytooth,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. We know how chronic pain can disrupt our lives and limit our activities. I'm sorry that you also know that fact.

Your MRI reveals numerous for back and radicular pain. I am not an expert but nothing screams surgery. Indeed it is usually saved for the last resort.

Physical therapy can take time to be effective and will initially induce even more discomfort. The key is to bear with it and do all the home ordered exercises. Don't be surprised if you do not see a significant  improvement till near the end of therapy.

I hope your physician is keeping your pain controlled. You'll heal better when you have less pain and are able to sleep. If he is not doing so please discuss it with him.

A repeat MRI can be helpful but often physicians are reluctant to order one yearly. Ask your specialist if he feels it would be beneficial and go from there. Sometimes things can change quickly and again there can e no changes for years. Based on your 09 MRI results your specialist should be able to decide if it's probably that changes have occurred. Unfortunately it's his call.

I hope that you will be an active participate in our community. We all learn from one another. We're here to offer our support. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We'll look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[JadedSweetheart]

There are no doctors on this forum, only Chronic pain patients who help and support eachother with the knowlege we have.
I would recommend seeing a doctor to give you the answers you are looking for.  A good orthopaedist, neurologist, or even pain management doctor should be able to tell you what's going on there.  Even some PCPs are good at reading MRIs.
I hope you find out what's causing the pain and find a treatment that works for you.