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MRI Results...Opinions - 8/17/2007 2:51:52 PM

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So these are the MRI results I got word for word. I somewhat understand them.
My decisions are whether or not I need surgery. Any opinions?
Sagittal and axial sequences of the cervical spine were performed. There are no previous studies available for comparison.
There is straightening of the normal cervical lordosis which may be positional in nature. The vertebral body heights are maintained. Degenerative end plate changes are noted at C6/7. There is otherwise normal marrow signal within the vertebral bodies.
There is a small broad-based disc protrusion at C3/4 almost completely effacing the anterior subarachnoid space without spinal cord impingement. the neural foramina are patent.
At C4/5, there is a tiny central disc protrusion, again without spinal cord impingement. The C4/5 neural foramina are patent.
There is a large cental and left paracentral disc herniation at C5/6 in combination with posterior bony ridging completely effacing the anterior subarachnoid space and resulting in moderate spinal cord compression to the left of midline. There is also moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen. The right neural foramen is also moderately narrowed.
At C6/7, there is a moderate broad-based disc protusion centrally and slightly to the left of midline contacting the spinal core without apparent spinal cord compression. The neural foramina are mildly narrowed bilaterally at C6/7, greater on the left.
At C7/T1, there is no disc herniation, central or foraminal stenosis. The spinal cor is normal in signal. The craniocervical junction is unremarkable.
The right submandibular gland appears slightly larger than it's counterpart although this may be due to the angle of the section. The glands are symmetrical in signal intensity and visible only on the axial gradient echo sequence.

While I pretty much understand most of this, as I've been researching and reading as much as I can about this, I'm finding that for every opinion that says it requires surgery, I'm finding others that say don't cut. I'm so confused at this point. And nervous. I guess I don't really know what I'm asking. I just know that there's a huge source of knowledge within this message board.
My main goal is to deal with this without surgery. Also...I do have family history of Rheumatoid arthritis. I don't know if this has any bearing. I have an appointment next week with the first of two orthopedic surgeons and am in the process of picking some neurologists for consults with them.

RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/17/2007 6:20:44 PM

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Hi Aileen
Sorry to learn you injured your back and could need surgery. My true sympathy.

Have you considered trying complimentary medicine before invasive often unpredictable back surgery?
A good chiropractor can do a lot.

That's scary and you sound very brave here . That's admirable, really.

Wishing you a speedy and successful recovery,
leatherette

(in reply to Aileen68)

RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/17/2007 6:29:41 PM

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Greetings Aileen,
you have mail~

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/17/2007 6:36:51 PM

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Firstly i am very sorry you are going through this....it sounds bad...but, and this is just what i have heard since i have never suffered this kind of pain...that surgery is an option when you absolutely cant stand it any more....reason being, sometimes the cure is worse than the problem. I sincerely wish you the best.

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/17/2007 7:59:55 PM

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I don't feel comfortable at this point considering a chiropractor since I have compression of my spinal cord. Plus I doubt I'd be able to find one that would touch me because of that.

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/18/2007 7:53:39 AM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aileen68

I don't feel comfortable at this point considering a chiropractor since I have compression of my spinal cord. Plus I doubt I'd be able to find one that would touch me because of that.

C5-C6 is more of a neck injury than a lower back injury from my own experiences. My bad experiences were always lower back, but your MRI results sound the same as mine. If you are hitting a nerve, and the nerve cannot be pushed back in place, then you really have to have surgery. Do you have pain in your arm or your leg? Just curious, as a neck effects the arm whereas lower back is leg.

I can tell you one thing. Again, I have 5 surgeries with 2 fusions. My last fusion, I tried to do everything but surgery such as injections, etc. I waited too long and my left quadracept is 2 inches smaller than my right from nerve damage. I waited too long. Have tried very hard to even them up and it has not worked. And I mean very hard.

Good luck, and a good chiropractor probably would not touch you.

(in reply to Aileen68)

RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/18/2007 10:16:53 AM

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Hello

Yeah.. I just wanted to put the suggestion out there because some people don't consider chiropractors serious practionioners.

I know you are an intelligent woman and had likely thought of it, but I just wanted to offer something.

So - just wishing you the all best

< Message edited by leatherette -- 8/18/2007 10:19:11 AM >

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/18/2007 10:21:02 AM

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I've heard the same...that surgery is a last resort, but are you in a lot of pain? I mean...pain can have some very odd effects on different people. I wish you all the best.

(in reply to Aileen68)

RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/18/2007 11:12:21 AM

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I honestly don't know what it means but you are a wonderful strong person-- i wish you much happiness and good health in the future.

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/19/2007 12:29:44 AM

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You've got cord compromise at C5/6. I wouldn't screw with that. It's your cervical spine, and that only gets worse with age and degeneration. Waiting will only create more problems. If a surgeon is telling you that surgery is the option, seek out a second surgical consult and go forward with eyes open.

PS. I can't say I'd ask folks on collarme to read my medical studies and recommend surgery, but that's just me LOL

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(in reply to Aileen68)

RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/19/2007 12:41:48 AM

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Well I'm not basing my decisions on the answers I get here. I have found that some people have an extensive medical knowledge here based on pm's I've received and they've given me numerous lists of questions to ask that I never would have thought of.
My goal is to deal with this without surgery if possible, but I've been in constant pain going on three weeks now and I have no desire to deal with pain for months and months/years and years. I also don't feel that I'm far enough along to let that pain influence my decisions...just yet. I was hoping to hear from someone who said that they had something similar an that xyz worked for them without surgery. I'm under the mindset that once I get surgery, I'm looking at a life time of surgeries. It's the middle of the night and I'm rambling. Just frustrated as hell because I can't sleep.

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/19/2007 11:35:23 AM

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Ok let me see if I can set this up for you: I'm a medical STUDENT, no doctor, but I just took neuroanatomy and my father coincidentally just had surgery for this problem.
The basics: at C4-T1, you have nerves coming into/out of your spine from the arms. These nerves tell your brain about pain, pressure, temp, movement, etc for upper limbs (limbs being the arms). Below that, C6-T1 and beyond, you have nerves travelling up from areas below the arms, and your legs as well. The foramen (literally means "hole") is where nerves exit/enter the cord. Generally speaking, the terms "dorsal/posterior" when talking about the cord itself is the area where nerves with info about touch, pressure, proprioception (where your body is- like when you close your eyes and hold your hand out, you know where your hand is even though you can't see it) run. The terms "ventral/anterior" when talking about the cord talk about areas where nerves relating to movement and a few nerves regarding pain are found. The subarachnoid space is where spinal fluid moves around. The cord is of course not this broad, and different info is in different specific areas of the cord, but this may give you a foundation for understanding, at least.

I can't tell you what to do, or what you have, but these terms might help a little if its hard to interpret.

(in reply to Aileen68)

RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/19/2007 5:14:47 PM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MisPandora

You've got cord compromise at C5/6. I wouldn't screw with that. It's your cervical spine, and that only gets worse with age and degeneration. Waiting will only create more problems. If a surgeon is telling you that surgery is the option, seek out a second surgical consult and go forward with eyes open.

PS. I can't say I'd ask folks on collarme to read my medical studies and recommend surgery, but that's just me LOL

I pretty much concurr with Pandora as well. I wouldn't be messing with the spinal cord. However, being through back surgery this year. I know how scary it is for anyone. Doug had C-6 and C-7 fused earlier this year.
The doctor who did it had told us at the time if we had it done in California he would be wheelchair bound by now. The method of surgery just wouldn't have worked on a 6'6 man.
So, read, research and then also ask the doctor if they can give you names of people who had the surgery. Contact them and as many people as you can find. Get first hand info. Then ask the doctor some more questions.
Make an educated decision before you opt for surgery.

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/19/2007 8:24:12 PM

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Dear Aileen68 My mom had this and I am sorry. I hope you feel better soon. Here is some more good information links.
Blessings
Falcon and dd

http://www.naturalessentials.com/prednisone.htm

http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/degenerative_disc_disease/

http://www.ra.com/ra/raStore/cgi-bin/ProdSubEV_Cat_200149_SubCat_200149_NavRoot_303.htm

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/22/2007 1:53:30 PM

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I had similar spinal problems. I had a large right sided herniation at C6-C7, 3 large bulging discs at C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, degenerative changes in my cervical spine, and a reverse cervical curve. The herniation went undiagnosed for several months, during which time the herniation impinged on some nerves and I lost the use and control of the upper right quadrant of my body. This was back in 2000.

I got physical therapy because I was not a good surgical candidate. They used ultrasound, mild manual traction, and myofascial release with massage. I took several vitamins and suupplements to help with circulation, nerve support, to reduce the inflammation. I was also on anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers.

In time, alot of it healed. I was warned not to go to a chiropractor because the adjustments would put more pressure on the discs. I had gone to them in the past, so its not like I had no experience with them. I just didnt go to one for THIS problem.

I think is is possible to heal these kinds of conditions without surgery. There are no guarantees with surgery, and some get worse. It does take time and patience, and a good physical therapist who does hands on work, not just slapping electrodes on and handing out exercise instruction sheets.

Now it only bothers me when I go to the dentist and have to tip my head back. I had a car accident back in April and it set me back for awhile. But I went back into PT for a couple of months, increased my intake of some holistic supplements. I didnt go back on the drugs, which I stopped taking 17 months ago. (I was still on the meds because I also have fibromyalgia, but found something holistic which works better)

The recent X-rays and MRIs show no herniations, no degenerative changes, and a fairly normal cervical spine. Not bad for someone my age LOL

If you want to know more about my experiences, feel free to contact me. I know how confusing and scarey it can be, not knowing which direction to go in... who to believe... what is the best option... I spent some quiet time back then... I prayed and asked for the right thing to do... In time, I sensed what was right for ME... Good luck in finding what is right for YOU...

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/22/2007 2:05:32 PM

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About 4 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with a bone spur at C3-C4 that was causing some pressure on the cord, and a lot of pain. The surgeon wanted to do a fusion of the discs, but I wanted to wait and see. After treatment with anti inflammatories, all the pain is gone, and I have just a small spot of numbness on my right biceps.

Now, a few months ago, I had a very large disc herniation at C7-T1; the pain was terrible, and I had numbness in the fingers of my right hand, and weakness of grip. There was no question in my mind that surgery was needed.

I had surgery (posterior, through the back of my neck) at the end of May, and the surgeon said it was the biggest herniated disk he has ever operated on. But from the time I woke up, there was no more arm pain, and the numbness was gone within days, and at the end of 2 weeks, my grip was normal again. He did not have to do any fusion or grafting, or put in any hardware, since he used the posterior approach. The surgical area itself was quite painful, but I was off narcotics at 7 days post op, and now only need occasional tylenol.

I certainly agree with getting two surgical opinions, and then go with what your instincts tell you. Good luck. *smiles*

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/22/2007 7:07:54 PM

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My herniations are L5,L4, and bulging at L3. One is ruptured as well so fluid can leak out from time to time touching the spinal cord. In 2001 the pain was terrible, morphine did not work and still doesn't when it flares up. My doctor refused to do surgery because he is waiting for the FDA to approve more than one artificial disc replacement. If he does a fusion, it will not be an option. However...I found that yoga has been the best medicine for relieving my back pain. Occasional muscle relaxers are needed when I have a spasm. I do believe you should seek several opinions and remember some orthopaedic surgeons will give you the surgery option first because that is their specialty. That I heard from two M.Ds I work with. Getting advice from a neurosurgeon is a great idea. I wish you the best.

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RE: MRI Results...Opinions - 8/23/2007 3:44:54 PM

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Okay let Me preface this by saying that I'm an x-ray tech. I worked at Duke Medical Center for over 15 years. I worked exclusively in the operating room for 10 years as an x-ray tech during that time. Any spine surgery is basically risky business. A spine surgeon once told Me "Never let anyone cut on Your back/neck unless you are in constant pain....the chances of surgery being successful are 50/50" Even with all the medical advances we have made today we still know very little when it comes to the spnal column. BUT you have been in constant pain for 3 weeks? I'd say you are getting close to the limit. Also, reading the radiologist report, you have a disc protrusion at C3/4 without spinal cord impingement.This means you have a possible herniated disc but it isn't pressing on the spinal cordand the neural foramina are patent, meaning they are open. C4/5 you also have small disc protrusion without spinal cord impingement. My concern is the report on C5/6. You have herniation in combination with bony ridging resulting in moderate impingement on the spinal cord and you also have moderately narrowed foramen at that level. This is probably where you are having most of your pain from. You also have a similar report for the C6/7 level. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting a second opinion from another surgeon. Check on your surgeon's track record. How many times has he/she performed this surgery? What is his/her succes rate? Good luck!!

(in reply to xolarkinxo)

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