Cervical Spondylosis/ MRI Results pls help

F

flossyb182

New member
Ok had a MRI and of course i dont understand it. I know i have been having this pain in my neck for over 5 yrs and i finally recev'd an MRI.. I have an upcoming ortho appt to review this but anxious to know now. Basically it says Midld diffuse bulging disc annulus C5 C/6 with slight ventral impression noted in thecal sac. Associated exit foramina widely patent.

More Pronounced diffuse bulging disc annulus C6 C/7 with moderate soft tissue extension noted to each exit foramina.

:dizzy: then it states IMPRESSION: Cervical spondylosis C5/6 C5/7 without significant central canal stenosis and mild to moderate soft tissue foramina stenosis noted at C 6/7

I know that i do experience awful pain when this "flare-ups" In the past i have had dr's tell me that i should not be in pain...:confused:(before i recv'd this MRI) i feel somewhat relieved now knowing that something is actually wrong....so my question is what do these results mean ?? Is it something to actually be worried about...is it bad????
Thanks for your help
 
chrissybee........the MRI sounds quite similar to the one I had back in February of 2008. I however had a severe compression C/5 C/6, herniated bulging disc. I was told that I needed surgery done (a.s.a.p.) to relieve the compression on the spinal cord, or I would end up in a wheel chair.

My MRI film showed a clean white spinal cord going up my back until it reached the base of my neck. At that point, it showed very dark images and you could no longer see anything else. It was pointed out that area when compression damage. I had surgery in April of 2008, which went very well.

I'm not saying that you need surgery, some don't. If you do, please don't fear the procedure. All I remember was smiling with the nurses while they were talking to me, then waking up and another nurse asking me how I was feeling? Two days later I was sent home with no neck brace/collar.

I only suggest that you do your research and if surgery is needed, I would look into the best neurosurgeon in your area. Although most are no doubt good, I wanted the best when it came time to work around the spinal cord. I got three opinions before surgery, and all three conferred.

Wishing you the best in health............
 
I Chrissybee.......cervical spondylosis is a fancy way of saying you have arthritis in your neck. You have 2 disks that have a bulge in them but they aren't herniated...good news. You have a little bit of tissue pressing on the opening where the nerves exit to the arms but it is mild to moderate.....a 3-4 out of 10 on the closed up scale. And the best news is that your spinal canal is not tight...very important. But, one of those bulging disks does touch the covering of your spinal cord so it will have to be watched in years to come. However, if I'm any example, my cord not only had the sac around it touched by a disk, it crushed the cord down to half thickness. I had surgery and was fine. Your spinal cord can take a lot if the damage develops slowly.

Bottom, line, you have arthritis with some problems developing but you are a long way from needing surgery. Medical management should be fine. When the time comes you need surgery, make sure you get the opinion of at least 2 doctors that are both spine specialists. No one but a spine specialist should touch a neck!

If you need any more info, come on down to the Spinal Cord Disorders board and talk to some of the people there. That's where the neck people hang out.

good luck.................Jenny
 
Thanks Island Johnny and Jennybyc for your responses. I will have my first appt this coming Tuesday with a ortho dr. I am just relieved that I have made it to this point it has been yrs that I have had these issues and I feel that my reg Dr just overlooked all my complaints.
Keep ya posted ;)
 
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