help understanding mri - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

jodi41262 · 10-09-2007, 02:03 PM

I need to know if anyone can help me understand my mri and if this is what is causing so much pain and numbness.

c2-c3 unremarkable
c3-c4right lateral osteophyte formation encroaching on the right neural foramen. the spinal canal is patent.

c4-c5 there is mild to moderate diffuse disc bulging that touches the spinal cord.
the cord is not compressed c5-c6 there is mild diffuse disc bulging worse on the left side that touches the spinal cord on left side .there is lateral osteophyte formation on right side that encroaches the right neural foramin there is also mild left paramedian posterior osteophyte formation

impressions: disc bulging and posterior osteophyte formation at c4-c5 and c5- c6 levels. possible right lateral osteophyte formation at c3-c4

any help would be greatly appriciated. ty

PNo · 10-12-2007, 02:43 PM

Hi Jodi, looks like you got no replies, I have time for one more before I need to get off computer. Your case looks pretty classic for all of us here. Osteophytes are bone spur formations, looks like there are some in the foramen (this is where the nerve roots come off the spinal cord to your other body/extremities like through a little canal), think like a tree trunk (spinal cord) with branches (nerve roots). the canal is getting narrow and the nerves are probably rubbing on it. Spinal canal patent means in the center canal where you spinal cord is at the C3-4 level there is no narrowing- good!

Discs are spongy material and are found separating the levels of the spine.
Basically I am guessing you have neck ache, arm pain maybe on both sides, shoulder blade , along with your numbness.

You should have a consultation with an orthopedic spine surgeron or a neurosurgeon for evaluation. It doesn't mean you have to do surgery, they are the best people to evaluate your condition.

jodi41262 · 10-14-2007, 10:20 AM

thank you for your help. Just wanted to let you know I had my appointment with the neurosurgeon and I have surgery on Nov 8th, they are doing acdf with plating is what the paper says

PNo · 10-14-2007, 01:29 PM

I figured that's what they would say. I have a few observations for you.

1. what levels does the paper say? are they doing C3-5 or just C4-5?
If they are only doing C4-5, you could ask surgeon if he intends to clean up
C3-4.
2. will you have another meeting with your surgeon before you surgery?
3. are you using your own bone from your hip (autograph) or a donor bone during the surgery? (allograft)
4. does your surgeon use collars after surgery? if so try to git it fitted before the surgery. most likely not if it is only one level.

jodi41262 · 10-14-2007, 03:10 PM

the papers says 3/4 and 4/5 he is using bone from bone bank and says I will be in collar for six weeks, he also has a possibility of a 3 level fusion? I am scare I hope that is normal ,I just know I would just about do anything to make the pain stop.