Hi all, I have recently been having increasing neck, upper back, shoulder pain and occassional tingling, weakness and numbness in my left tricep area & hand, to the point that I had an MRI done. This report is greek to me and I'm wondering if anyone can help shed some light on these notes:

-Persistent intervertebral disk height loss and mild central canal stenosis with bulging at C6/7
-Uncovertebral joint disease at C4/5 & C5/6 with moderate bilateral neural foraminal encroachment at C5/6. Left greater than right.

The last Neurosurgeon had me get an ESI in C6/7 which seemed to replace the burning pain with a dull ache for a few weeks. He later said that he thought disk fusion surgery of C6/7 would alleviate my pain. I'm very nervous about surgery and am not sure if my condition warrants anything.

I hate to complain, but this is really starting to get old and the pain is affecting my sleep. Can anyone help shed some light on this situation or other treatments I might seek out? I've also been told I have myofascial pain syndrome but it's most likely secondary to the neck problems.

Thanks so much for any help.

mild central canal stenosis

If this were moderate or severe, you might look at surgery.

neurafaraminal encroachment at C5/6

I think that there might be a nerve involved.

I am just guessing here.

There are many alternatives before surgery. Unless you are absolutely looking at permanant nerve damage, surgery should be your last resort.

I had forminal encroachment C6 17 years ago. My arm and hand pain was severe. Eventually over the course of 2 years the nerve finally settled down. My arms are still weak but the disabling pain has never come back.

Going by your report, I agree that at this point, I wouldn't consider surgery. However, keep in mind that an MRI does not always give a full picture. I would get another opinion and then I think I would ask for a myelogram to be done.
You didn't seem to get a lot out of the ESI you had done so I don't think another one of those is the answer.

I will tell you this story about my husband. He complained of very severe pain in his arm and shoulder. Dr. finally ordered MRI....it showed a bone spur and of course the dr. said no surgery necessary. A few weeks passed, the pain got worse, husband insisted that the doctor operate or he would find someone else to do it. So finally, after trying an ESI, surgeon agreed. After surgery he came out to talk to me and was shocked to have found 2 ruptured discs as well as the bone spur. Hubby has been pain free since.

That doesn't mean it is how things are with you. I just wanted to explain that MRI is not the only test that should be done when symptoms and MRI report don't match.

Carol