Advice on cervical spine mri - hernia - Hernia Message Board

gaddy23 · 10-03-2007, 11:17 AM

Hi, I am new to this site. Could someone advice.

For years now, I had numbness in my hands, together with neck and leg stiffness. This problem went undiagnosed. I recently saw a new gp and he recommended an MRI cervical spine. I received the results (see below) and am worried.
Could you let me know what you think? Do I need surgery? What are my options?
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Findings:

Cervical spondylosis with multi-level degenerative disk disease and osteophytes at C5-C6

Loss of normal lordosis may be due to muscle spasm. The cervical vertebrae are otherwise normal in height and alignment. Marrow signal is normal.

The spinal cord is normal in caliber and has normal signal characteristics.

The craniovertebral region is unremarkable. Cerebellar tonsils are normally situated.

C3/4: Small central disc herniation without canal compromise

C4/5: Small central disc herniation without canal compromise. Small anterior disc herniation.

C5/6: Anterior disc herniation. Central and (L) para-central disc herniation that touches the cord. There is mild narrowing of the central canal.The neural foramina are patent.

C6/7. Broad based posterior disc herniation moreso on the left, with small postero-lateral osteophytes. The cord is deformed. There is mild to moderate narrowing of central canal and left neural foramen.
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Please help and advice! Gaddy

PNo · 10-03-2007, 12:35 PM

You need to go to a neurosurgeon. I follow the belief that when there is cord compromise you really shouldn't delay decision making and get medical opinions about the course of action. They probably will recommend surgery and if it were me, I would proceed soon.

Because you have suffered numbness etc for a while, there might be a chance that you won't get complete resolution, but you definitely can forestall any further damage - you really should protect your spinal cord.

acaptainn · 10-03-2007, 05:48 PM

Ditto, Neck covered it

feelbad · 10-04-2007, 06:29 AM

yep,i totally agree,when it comes to your spinal cord,the sooner the better as far as getting any compression relieved.the longer the compression stays the more likely you can suffer permanent cord damage and or myelopathy,which you could,considering your symptoms,already be suffering from.you don't even want to go there,trust me on that one.do you currently have 'hyper' reflexes in your legs?seeing a good knowledgable experienced neurosurgeon is really the best possible place for an eval of your current situation,getting another opinion too is always a good idea.you just really need to realize the possible ramifications of waiting to move on this.the sooner the better.you just really do need to know what your risks are at this point.I do wish you luck with this.just get to an experienced NS soon.please keep us posted on how things are going,K? marcia

gaddy23 · 10-05-2007, 11:12 AM

Thanks for the advice and well wishes. I am so scared! Do you know what are the side effects of that type of surgery? I booked myself for an appointment with a neurosurgeon.