HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

help with mri results from the cervical spine

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/16/2014 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi am a new member
I have had problems with my lumber and cervical spine for about 5 years now. I have had another MRI on my cervical spine and the results were

At C5-6 there is a small central disc osteophytic bar at C5-6 which just indents the sac. This is slightly more prominent than the prior investigation.

At C6-7 there is a disc osteopytic bar with some paracentral extension which does appear to narrow both exit foramen. Again the appearances have shown some deterioration.

I had the previous MRI 3 years ago.
My symtoms are pain in my left arm like an intermittent electric shock, pain going on the front of my foream and weakness in my hand pins and needles also pain in my neck like I have pulled a muscle which has come and gone over the three years but when bad lasts for 4 weeks or so.
I am on max pain meds and pregablin
I have been referred to a neurosurgeon I would just like to know what to expect.
Thank you

Post Edited (pmerse) : 5/16/2014 12:41:24 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/16/2014 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
The neurosurgeon will probably refer you out for an emg testing if you've not had that done yet and if your in a lot of severe pain then they might consider surgery, but note that surgery is a major decision and involves hardware screws and rods and if your not ready for all that then you might consider waiting, but get the further testing done from the neurosurgeon and then weigh your options...
Surgery is very hard and extremely painful and others will comeby and explain this...
My pm doctor said if you can get some measure of pain control with meds and then maybe surgery can be put off....
Posted 5/16/2014 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Hope you get relief and answers from the neurosurgeon. I have a herniated disc at C7-T-1 pressing on C7, pain is in neck, upper back, weakness and pain in left forearm and left middle and pinky fingers, feels like they are on fire and broken when they flare up.

Are the pain meds helping? I've been on Vicodin and Norco, several hours later they "sometimes" take the horrendous pain away.

You mention your lumbar spine too. Are you having any problems with your legs/feet??

My pain started in the cervical spine then went in to the lumbar with pain/numbness in left leg and foot.

I'm sure seeing a neurosurgeon is the best thing to do and he can come up with what to do next, therapy etc to see if that will help.

Take care and I know this pain is terrible.
Posted 5/16/2014 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the replies.
I orignally had pain in my legs and shrugged it off for ages I eventually went to the drs he sent me for a MRI and discovered
L4-5 dessication with disc with small anular tear disc bulge but with no nerve root compression.
L5-S1 dessication of the disc with central disc protrusion which abuts but does not compress, the descending right and probably left S1 nerve root in the lateral recess.
And yes the pain is all down my legs and in my buttocks, and groin my toes go numb with pins and needles.

I have been going to the pain clinic since 2011 and had epidurals six monthly the last one was last week.
I have seen a neurosurgeon and orthapedic surgeon regarding my lumber spine and discharged with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and pain clinic.
I have had another lumber MRI prior and the latest has shown more degeneration.
Both surgeons did say that they are willing to see me again if the problem got so bad. But its the fact you have to ask and wait again
But since this my neck has flared up and is causing me alot of pain and discomfort along with my back.
Also been have pain in my fingers and thumbs I was referred to the mineral hospital where they discovered I have osteoarthritis in my small joints, when speakingto the dr about this he said it was highly likely that this was the problem all over.
So all in all feel in a bad way but when you're not seeing a professional for the whole problem it becomes distressing as they are only interested in the problem you have been referred for at that time.
I am not looking for a quick fix as I know thats not possible but I am 42 with two young children and dont want to totally stop enjoying life living with the constant pain.
Posted 5/16/2014 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
If your pain is so severe that you are lacking a quality of life, it may be,....just maybe,....time to get more aggressive in how you choose to approach your treatment options.

These are decisions and discussions you need to have with your doctor.

You are very young to be in this kind of distress, and if you have followed conservative measures and received no relief, perhaps discuss with your doctor some additional options. Remember that it's your body and your choice.

We have to stand up and fight for our care....

It's true, they will only consult with you based on the problem you are referred to. Knowing this in advance, schedule multiple appointments and perhaps consider a consult with a physiatrist to look at you as a "whole body" instead of just body parts.

Sadly, to get in the system, we are often denoted as body parts and numbers.....it's the way the system functions, and unfortunately, we need to go with this flow and utilize measures for our well being.







M.
Posted 5/16/2014 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you I have two appointments with neurosciences, one being on Wednesday nextweek, that is with a senior physiotherapist and the second is in September with neurologist consultant. I did not understand the reasoning for the two appointments when the referral was for neurosurgeon.
I will keep you updated of the outcome.
Thanks again.
Posted 5/17/2014 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
You have arthritis in your neck & from the symptoms you have described it sounds like you have a pinched /compressed nerve. The osteophyte is probably what is compromising the nerve. The neurosurgeon that my son saw for his neck which he had these finding too, recommended an epidural injection. The anesthesiologist that did his injection put him out, & did the injection using guided imaging to insure that he injected the correct spot. It took about 2 weeks for injection to work. Had this not worked surgery was an option.

I hope you keep your appt with the neurosurgeon to see what he/she thinks.
Posted 5/17/2014 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi pmerse Welcome to Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum. I have had three surgeries on my cervical spine, and I will tell you all three times the surgery relieve my pain just about immediately! Sounds like what your describing that you would likely need to have a framinotomy and or removal of your bone spurs rather than a discectomy and fusion. But It is best to have a good neurosurgeon evaluate you and see your MRI, the neurosurgeon can often see things that a regular doctor might not. You might be surprised at what he might find! I know I have had that happen with me, the radiologist said one thing and my PM doctor said that was the problem and he sent me to the neurosurgeon and it turn out it wasn't the disc at C3/4 that they thought it was, but instead it was the articular joints there in the back of the neck at C3/4. I still had to have surgery and have those joints fused but did not have to have an ACDF there! I have had two neurosurgeons tell me that as far as they were concerned surgery on the cervical spine was the easiest for them to do, verses all the other areas of the spine! And that makes sense, just because of the anatomy of the neck and spine there and the ease of access! Just from my experience I have had pretty good luck with the surgeries as far as relieving the pain that caused me to have it in the first place!

Anyway I wish you well, and hopefully you will get some help with this problem!

White Beard
Posted 5/17/2014 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
If the mri's are the only testing done, then you should see about the emg testing...it was one of the first things my neurosurgeon asked me, was if I had done the emg testing...and then you'll probably be asked if you had injections done, ect...it's not an easy road towards getting surgery but it's what;s needed to get done before you get surgery...
Keep us posted on this...
I could've had surgery done a few weeks ago, but I chose "no", I have a straight cervical neck, no curve, RA and osteo changes in my neck and a lot of other things going on along with spinal canal stenosis, However, because I have RA a highly degenerative condition it could complicate the surgery, along with my asthma...
I also have a very bad lower back, but I'm functional on my meds...
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply