MRI:-
Central and Right Paracentral disc Protrusion at C5-C6 level causing thecal sac , Cord indentation, bilateral neural foraminal narrowing (Right >Left) and mild spinal canal narrowing ...
I have had chronic back pain for about 9yrs & I finally got an xray to show an old injury. It's not something I can grow back or cure. Of all your opinions what's the best treatment for chronic back pain I've had for 9yrs & only til the 21st this month with an x ray after ER visits & pain management specialists sticking needles in my spine without any diagnosis or x rays at all over this whole time would any of you suggest I perhaps engage? I've suffered the entire time & I feel the negligence of the doctors is something to take into account. I can't grow back my narrowed spine of my L1 from an old injury & there is no cure , I just feel helpless being mother of twin boy toddlers who want to do it all & I can not due to pain. I'm stuck. Any advice? I cry because my sons are the ones to suffer in my prison with me . I can't grow my spine back & I have no babysitter for physical therapy which is I'm sure excruciating, any suggestions considering no doctor wants to help me even though I now have the prove after 9yrs it wasn't all just in my head & them sticking needles in my spine with no diagnosis & no answer for me & no x rays after all this time suffering?
View 1 RepliesI am a 27 year old female who has has back problems since the age of 21 when I got pregnant with my little girl. I have gradually got worse over the past 6 years and am now permanently on crutches to help me walk. I cannot do daily tasks and am in pain 24/7 and have been for some time.
I have asked for 5 years for a MRI on my back as I knew something wasn't right but I have just been told it would be a waste of my time and the medical professionals time.
Anyway after a breakdown at the rheumatologist and my last resort after years of medication, pain management courses, physio and wasted doctors appointments I had to beg for an MRI and he reluctantly agreed.
The MRI has shown a significant bulging disc in my 4th vertebrae which has narrowed my spinal canal and is causing nerve compression leading to problems with loss of feeling in my legs and lady parts as well as pain.
I suppose the biggest question I have is after such a long time before being discovered, what are the chances of my nerves being permanently damaged even if I have the operation to release the bulge?
Is the operation actually going to make a difference?
Neck pain for years, suddenly got very bad 6 months ago. I am an active 61 year old woman, have worked as a checker almost 20 years in very busy supermarket. Lots of repetitive lifting and scanning, the constant lifting hurts, I can feel the stress on my neck and am wondering if continuing this is just aggravating the problem or possibly making it worse. Along with the significant cervical pain I am also experiencing paresthesia in both hands with burning also in right hand. This has been for at least 5 years. No arm pain so don't know if this could be radicular. Left toes also have pins and needles.
My MRI follows:-
minimal grade 1 spondylolisthesis of C2on C3 and C7 on T1
moderate to severe disk space narrowing from C3-C7, mild at C7-T1 and C2-C3
multilevel DDD and spondylosis. Mild to mod. facet arthropathy also noted.
At C6-7 spondylosis and disk bulging causing cord indentation and bilateral neural foraminal narrowing rt. greater than lft.
Visualized sp. cord normal in caliber and signal
Impression:-
straightening of normal cervical lordosis. DDD causing cord indentation at C34. C45, C56 and C67. Neural foraminal narrowing which is most sig. at C45, C56 and C67. Facet osteoarthritis on the left at C23 with surrounding reactive bone marrow edema.
I am wondering what is difference between cord indentation and cord compression. I see compression often on boards so maybe indentation is not so bad. Is this a normal MRI for a 61 year old? What about the paresthesia and burning hands? I would love to hear from Web Dozer and anyone else who could shed light on this.
I've been dealing with severe sciatica pain that radiates from my lower back down to my calf. It sometimes gets so bad I cannot move. I've been seeing a chiropractor for the past two weeks and we've discovered I have a tilted pelvis and curvature of the spine; aside from my dx, the adjustments don't seem to be helping.
My question is, should I still be exercising with this pain or is it worsening the pressure and inflammation of the nerve?
**I am a gymnast and athlete so I spend a lot of time at the gym do hardcore lifting and HIIT. My chiro said to focus on stretching but it hurts so bad I can barely manage it.
I had back surgery in March 2013 that left me with mechanical instability, acquired spondylolisthesis and lots of pain.
I have 2 ortho spine surgeons telling me that I need a bi-level spinal fusion surgery to repair the damage, but after the botched first surgery, the thought of another surgery scares me to death. Plus, since surgery is what spine surgeons do, the recommendation seems obvious.
I also started seeing a new pain management doctor (we moved to a new state) and he is suggesting that I consider a spinal cord stimulator trial, with surgical implantation if we find that it helps the pain.
So...I'm left confused. I see the positives and negatives of each, but I'm just not sure if one makes more sense over the other. I think that my spondylolisthesis will worsen over time and could pose a threat of nerve damage, while the spinal cord stimulator is designed to mask pain and does nothing to address the instability.
I'd love to know if anyone else has faced a similar decision...or has thoughts, ideas, comments, suggestions for considering one over the other.
I had am mri w/o contrast and the findings were:
C2-3, the central canal and neuralformina are patent.
C3-4, a diffuse disc bulge effaces the thecal sac. There is minimal narrowing of the neural formina.
C4-5, a diffuse disc bulge effaces the thecal sac. There is mild narrowing of the neural formina.
C5-6, there is a disc/osteophytic ridge with moderate narrowing of the central canal and neural formina.
C6-7, there is a diffuse disc bulge asymmetric to the left. There is mild narrowing of the central canal. The right neural foramen is patent. There is moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen.
C7-T1, the central canal is patent. There is mild narrowing of the right neutral foramen and moderate narrowing of the left foramen.
Conclusion:
diffuse disc bulges narrowing the central canal and neural formina as described, most pronounced from C5-6 through C7-T1.
What does "mild foraminal narrowing" mean on an MRI result? VA clinic denies that my husband's MRI results show any abnormalities, yet MRI results list cervical foraminal narrowing and thoracic osteophytes Doesn't foraminal narrowing MEAN spinal stenosis of some degree? Why does the clinic insist they see nothing wrong on the MRI? Thank you for your help, this back pain battle is 4 years in the running now
View 1 RepliesI had ACDF C6-7C August 2014 and still continued with serious pain around my neck and shoulders. I was told by the surgeon that I have non union C5-7. Can someone suggest my options in correcting the problem?
View 1 Repliesmy Daughter aged 9 year is suffering from cord edema due to road accident. she was hit by a bike three months before, and after all the examination her reports are fine but in MRI report the doctors find that :
There is a long segment T2W hyperintense extradural collection is seen in dorsal aspect of cord extending from D1 to L1 level. There is rupture of ligamentum flavum at D2/D3 level. T2W hyperintensity is also seen at interspinous at D2/D3 level. On T2W and STIR images paraspinal hyperintensity is seen from D2 to D6-7 level.
Prevertebral hyperintensity is seen from C2 to C5 level s/o edema/bleed.
Impression in MRI:-
1. Long segment Spinal Extra Arachnoid CSF collection in dorsal aspect of cord extending from D1 to L1 level causing cord compression leading to cord edema/contusion D3 to D5-6 level.
2. Rupture of ligamentum flavum and interspinous ligament at D2/D3 level.
after the injury she is on bed due to paralysis and loss of sensation below waist. and also suffering from bed sore due to bedridden.
I have consulted so many neurologist but they said the injury will recover itself after long time.
Is a small disc protrusion on my MRI report saying I have a small Herniation?? I have small central disc protrusion at c5-6 and a focal central bulge at c6-7. So does protrusion mean herniated? I'm so confused. The back pain management doc said "hmm, its nothing" when I asked. Does anyone know the difference?
View 4 RepliesDoes anyone have sort of fierce electrical pains travelling through spine lasts some short time and returns months later. I am 54 and have had these since my mid forties.
View 2 RepliesI was involved in a motorbike accident in June 2013. I had some shoulder pain at the time but all was well shortly after. In December of 2013, I started having shoulder blade pain which was actually C6 C7 radiculopathy . I was going for therapy and was prescribed NSAID and lyrica with no relief. In January on vacation I was riding a motor scooter and immediately noticed shooting pain down my right arm with numbness as well as neck pain. I had some of these symptoms before going on vacation but it definitely got worse while I was away. When i returned back to work, the pain became worse and I ended up going to an emergency department January 28. Up until this time I did not sleep well for over 6 weeks. The emergency room doctor had the same diagnosis, cervical radiculopathy and would not send me for a MRI but told me to go back to my Sports Med Dr to order an MRI. They also prescribed me Percocet, more NSAID, and muscle relaxants. That afternoon my Sports Dr changed to a different narcotic and ordered the MRI which I had 4 days later. The MRI showed a large right sided disc herniation c6 c7 hitting the c7 nerve root with cord compression. I was sent to a neurosurgeon on Mar 5. He reviewed the MRI and did some tests and said I have Myelopathy. He said it is a slowly progressive spinal cord injury and the goal is to stop the progression. He said tingling transitions to muscle weakness to the arms and legs and transitions to loss of function of my arms and legs.
I signed off to have an ACDF C6 C7.
My question to all is, if the pain is better but my Tricep weakness is still there along with a little bit of numbness, is the surgery still recommended? I want to continue doing all the active things I have always done including working out and riding a motorbike. There still is a little bit of pain in my neck and occasional pain in my arm but nothing like it was. I don't want to lose any strength or risk the chance of having to be in a wheelchair if I fall a certain way.
I am scheduled for surgery May 26 bit I can cancel up until I have it done.
what this means! C5-C6: Posterior central disc osteophyte complex formation results in mild anterior effacement of the thecal sac. Endplate spurring and facet arthropathy results in mild narrowing of the right exit foramen.
View 3 RepliesI am new to the board and am now one year out from lumbar fusion. I am a very physical person and a Personal Trainer as well. My low back pain has all but disappeared however neck and shoulder pain,stiffness and numbness are very concerning !!! I am currently treating with acupuncture and muscle relaxers. I also am a chronic migraine sufferer and believe this is partially being caused by cervical issues.
View 11 RepliesMy brother is on disability. He has a bulging disk in his neck that is making him dizzy. He has fallen several times because of this and frequently has to sit down. His insurance company won't cover the surgery. Is there anything I can do or something he can do to ease the pain? It makes me so sad that he is in such pain and can't afford to get help.
View 2 RepliesHi, I have been reading this forum for a very long time. I have been on Gabapentin since October 2011. I injured my neck January 2011. Lost the use of my left arm. Had C6-C7 acdf September 2012, fell 3 weeks later due to ataxia that came on after the surgery. X-ray showed everything in place, Cervical MRI showed C5 disk herniated minimally. For the last couple of months I've been losing sensation feeling in my hands sometimes up to my elbows. It goes to one side and the other or both at the same time. My doctor thinks it's a side effect of Gabapentin and my gut says it's not it. Has anyone heard of this side effect? I have not found this loss of sensation as a side effect in my research.
View 14 RepliesI had five facet joint injections in my neck yesterday and I am in a lot of pain.
I have a lot of stiffness and can not move my head that well without being in pain. Anyone else experience this?
I was diagnosed as having a synovial cyst by a neuropsychiatrist. I had a procedure where he went in and drained the cyst along with that I had a steroid injection. Apparently he did not get much out of the cyst. The pathology report came back negative on what he did manage to get out.
On day two post procedure the pain starting coming back. Each day the pain level increased to where I am now a level 8 and sometime 9 and can barely stand the pain. My lower right back just above the buttock feels like there is pressure and is very achy. The deep achy pain goes into my right buttock and wraps around the lower groin area. The achy pain goes down my right leg and into my foot. It is a pulsating deep ache and I can hardly stand it. It also feels numb at times and I get pins and needle tingling. When I get up from laying down or sometimes sitting (when I can sit) I get this sharp excruciating pain in my right groin that doubles me over. I have to stay still in the doubled over position to let it subside before I can straighten up and walk. Sometimes the groin pain just hits me out of nowhere when I am standing.
On my follow up visit with my physiatrist he recommended I have a consult with a neuro spine surgeon. My appointment with the surgeon is in a couple of days. I feel very fortunate to get into see this surgeon who is very hard to get in to see. He is rated as "one of the best" in a very large healthcare system where I work.
I am taking 1500mg of gabapentin along with 6 ibuprofen a day. I am also taking hydrocodone. I fight the pain and only take on the average one pain pill a day because I don't like the groggy feeling.
My question is, has anyone else with a synovial cyst had all of these symptoms? Is the groin pain related to the compression on the nerve from the cyst. I appreciate any feedback and would love to hear from someone who has had these symptoms.
I'm 65 years old, male.
In Nov 2014 I found by casualty (MRI magnetic resonance imaging) that I have severe spondylotic cervical myelopathy (CSM) at C4-C5. I don't feel or show any neurological symptoms, like gait or radiculopathy. Neither feel any pain. One neurosurgeon strongly recommends surgery, because, he says, I'm in great danger and I will get symptoms soon. Another neurosurgeon strongly recommends not doing surgery, as long as I do not show any symptoms, because, he says, my case is clinical, not surgical, and recommends me to take care, don't walk in slippery floors and don't put my head to much backwards.
Does anyone has a similar condition that may help me to decide for surgery or "wait an see"? Is there any less invasive surgery that in spite not decompressing the spinal cord might at least delay progression, like ozone therapy or foraminotomy?
Back when I was 15 I started fainting, it didn't happen often but it always seemed to be in the morning after a cigarette. I would feel myself going, my fingers would go all tingly, and it would work all the way up to my head and my vision would go blurry and then i would fall. Over the next few years it was happening about once a year but this time it seemed to be caused by severe period pains - it happened at work once and an ambulance was called and apparently everything was fine with me. When it was period pain related i had more the sweats that would start right before and my hearing would go all tinny.
I am now nearly 25 and like most young adults I often go out drinking with my friends. It now seems these 'faints' are happening the morning after the night before type thing. It's happened twice in the past 3 months, once at home and one last week on a bus on the way to work.
Once again, i get the tinny hearing, tunnel/blurry vision, excessive sweating and heavy breathing and then i just go, but on the past 2 occasions, i've woken up almost having a fit - but its only my head that is shaking from side to side and i can't control it for a good 30 seconds and can't figure out where i am and am so confused... On top of this, on both occasions (unlike the previous 10 years) i have lost bladder control.
As i was on the bus for the most recent one i was roughly able to work out how long i was out for judging from memory of where i lost consciousness to where i regained it and it must've been 1-2 minutes. I don't think i could've been 'fitting' that bad on the bus as my head bust rested on the chair in front and i woke up smacking it with my head (sounds funny now, terrifying at the time!) so must've just looked like a weirdo on the bus. When it happened in my kitchen, i felt myself going so sat down but woke up with my head smacking against my cupboard door.
It's a horrible feeling and i know by the sounds of it alcohol is the main cause but i have many friends that drink a lot more than me and they certainly don't have any of this.
It's worth noting that i have been on Citalopram (10mg) since August 2014 -although i don't think the dose is strong enough to make any change to my mood let alone any side effects. I'm currently undergoing tests for a lump found in my breast which has been ruled out of being a cyst so awaiting results until beginning of May.
Is this anything to be worried about do you think? I've resisted going to the dr's as when it's happened before and paramedics were called and they said it was nothing and when i fainted in oct 2013 i went to A&E and he said i had extreme low blood pressure and i just got up too quick... but other than that, all blood tests and BP checks i've had in the past 2 years have said im fit as a fiddle basically.