First Ever MRI...please read

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NYCman

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My main complaint is about a pain in my right side (chest/rib area). I've been running the gamut of tests. Someone noticed I have a minimal scoliosis, and one thing led to another and I ended up getting a T-Spine and C-Spine MRI (w/o contrast).

The T-Spine impression is: Everything is normal EXCEPT: There is a very small Schmorl's node in the inferior end plate of T9

The C-Spine impression is: Small disc osteophyte complex at C3-C4, without stenosis. Minor unconvertebral joint hypertrophy on the right at C5-C6, without stenosis.

So, it's looking like my Right side pain may not be Spine related. When I was alot younger I always had neck pain that had me make a habit of cracking my neck, but a chiropractor friend of mine gave me some exercises and I had it under control. Still, as this is my first time being told what causes it, I'm wondering what my results mean? How serious is it, and what would be the remedy?

Thanks, I am a 24 year old male, average height and weight.
 
Hi
ive had a nuraber of mri's recently and i always find it difficult to interpret the results alot of the medical language can be very confusing, i have slight scoliosis of the spine and altho the doctors say that wasnt the cause of the pain, it wasnt helping the problems i was having with my lurabar spine/discs, i have seen many doctors in my time (im only 27) and find that most give you minimal information you really have to probe them to get the answers you want, i actually write a list of questions so that when i go in i dont forget anything, when paying 200euro for a consult i want to get the most out of it.
i cannot shed light on your results as my difficulties are all in lurabar region, all i can say is speak to your doctors and discuss all of your concerns and i would not recommend a chiropractor... if it is do with your spine, chiropractors usually do more damage then good, apologies to your friend but I have never heard good results from anyone going to a chiropractor, trust in medical science.
on a level of 1-10 what level is your pain at? you mentioned your friend gave you exercises but what did the doctor who ordered the mri's say to you about the results? are you taking any medication?
looking forward to hearing from you
 
Hello JoMurray,

I just had the Spine MRI done recently (a week or 2 ago). The Chiro. gave me these exercises about 4 years ago and they turned out to be really good. I haven't met the spine specialist yet to see what he says of my MRI results. I'm currently not on any meRAB. My main complaint is right-sided rib area pain. I believe it's called my latissimus dorsi muscle. I also have mild scoliosis at 4 degrees. What is the curvature nuraber for yours?

Thanks for reading.
 
Schmorl's node is where the cartilage of the disc intrudes into the vertebrae...ouch! Your rib pain may be a radiation from that area...but that depenRAB on exactly where it hurts (T7 is about the same level of the bottom of your shoulder blades). Is it just below? Then it's possibly connected...your dr should be able to tell you this.

Osteophyte Complex is when your disc and vertebrae edgeplate begin to form spikes...the good thing is that it's not protruding (say, on your spine). The bad news is that's evidence of arthritis. The hypertrophy is an enlargement of the joint.

At this point, none of this is life-threatening, if that's what you mean. But having these problems at such a young age leaRAB me to believe you're possibly an athlete? That's what these results say to me, but that's just MHO.

Good luck and keep us posted as to your decisions/progress.
 
Hi, Trymester... though I don't know all those medical terms you use to describe your condition :D I do recognize the pain you are describing. I have the same problem and was told, in simple terms, the pain actually originates in my spine, causing spasms in the muscle that you are talking about and a huge hard knot forms at about the middle of my rib cage. It is extremely painful and must be worked out through manipulation. Luckily my daughter is usually able to do a hard massage in the area for me until it is reduced and the pain lets up. If i am alone when it happens I have to twist and turn my body in all sorts of weird contortions to try and relieve the spasm.
I get these spasms on a regular basis across the middle of my back. I don't always recognize that that's what is causing them because they don't always feel like spasms, sometimes it is just hard, deep pain but sure enough my daughter will feel of my back and she will find a huge lump where the pain is or very close to it.
I don't know if this is what you are experiencing or not but the area of pain sounded similar to me. I have severe degeneration of the spine with bone spurs, bulging discs, desicated discs and the good old basic stenosis to a moderate degree.
Does this sound anything like your pain?
 
Hello Everyone,

Thanks for the input. I have an appointment with the Spine clinic today so I will see what the doctor has to say.

Pandi,

Your pain sounRAB more severe than mine. And when I was in a moment of much pain, I went into a chiropractor (whom I've known for years, therefore I trust him) and he didn't feel any "huge lump" or things like that on my body.
 
Glad to hear you've got your appointment with the spine clinic. It's always good to find out for sure and not have to guess and wonder. Good luck to you, hoping it's good news you hear and nothing too serious.
 
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