Need Help with Explanation

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Linda_in_NJ

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for my C scan. There is a marked narrowing of the disc space with sclerosis and irregularity of the articular margins. There is prominent anterior ossified formation. There is diffuse bulging of the annulus fibrosis of the disc. No focal disc herniation is seen. There is facet joint hypertrophy. There is no central stenosis. Does this read that I mostly have DDD and/or arthritis in my spine?
Thanks, Linda
 
Hi, well sclerosis means "scarring"..have you had any surgery in the past in that area? Articular margins means "joint margins", so you have irregular joint margins, which could mean arthritis. Anterior means front, and ossified means turned to bone, so an area of your spine that is soft tissue has turned to bone. You also have a bulging disc center, though it is not herniated. You also have facet hypertrophy, which means your facet joints (joints that link each vertebrae together) have enlarged, which is an arthritic process. They usually get larger due to too much stress on the facet joints.

So you probably have DDD and facet arthritis, but....has your doc suggested being tested for ankylosing spondylitis at all? I only ask because I know that this disease can cause sclerosis and ossification of ligaments in the spine. I'm not a doctor, so I can't say what other conditions cause this..but I do know it's just a possibility and should probably be checked into. There is a blood test you can get plus they can do an MRI of your sacroiliac area to see if there is any problem there.
 
Thank you baybreeze for the excellent explanation. No the doctor hasn't spoken of any treatment or other testing at this moment but I will keep after him or even get a 2nd opinion. Thank sagain
 
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