disc degeneration - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

margcardiel · 10-26-2007, 03:36 PM

could you explain this mri read. Severe c5-c6 disc degeneration an d less than 2mm listhesis. The canal diameter is 9mm.

PNo · 10-27-2007, 10:49 PM

listhesis is slippage.

SpineAZ · 10-28-2007, 09:12 PM

As we get older (that means even in late 30's) nearly everyone has some disc degeneration. It's a natural part of aging. The most important thing is the degree of degeneration and the symptoms. If you were to MRI everyone who lived on your block, many would show disc damage/degeneration but have no accompanying sypmtoms.

I had a cervcial fusion last year of C5-C7. The MRI showed that C4 was had some degeneration and it was determined that we would not fuse that level as I had no symptoms from that level. I still have some symptoms associated with C7 but am lucky that I still have no symptoms that relate to C4.

clasact1956 · 11-13-2007, 06:54 AM

I was just diagnosed with disk degeneration. I have had problems now for over 16 years. They said I have a bulge which is pressing slightly on a nerve and is considered a form of arthritis. I have chronic pain from my hip to my calves, numbness in left size, front of thigh and tingling in knee. I also get numbness in my left foot and left hand sometimes. They said there is nothing to do but try to manage the pain, go for therapy, etc. My feeling is that it will get worse. Is there no other recorse? Who should I get a second opinion from? I don't want to be in a wheel chair at 60. I am 51 now.

Also, I was offered an anti-inflamitory but my ins wouldnt cover it. My pharmisist said that Motrin does the same thing.

D