Question: Doctor,

History: I have been having neck pain for last 2 years with it getting more painful for last two months. I also have history of numbness/tingling in palms about year back and now it has increased and entire left arm becomes tingly and sometimes painful. I consulted Ortho doctor. I was put on rest for a week and some PT. Symptoms did not come down. Doctor advised for a MRI scan. MRI reported that I have osteophyte at C4 impinging the nerve root. Also I am diagnosed with early signs of degeneration.

Here is the MRI report: (I am 37 yrs old, male)

Findings:
1. Straightening of the cervical spine is noted - suggestive of
paraspinal muscular spasm.
Alignment is normal.
2. The vertebral bodies shoe normal outline and marrow signals.
Osteophytes are noted from vertebral body margins -
suggestive of early degenerative changes.
- Left postero-lateral osteophyte at C3-C4 level is causing
mild indentation of the
corresponding exiting nerve root.
- Small postero-lateral osteophytes at C4-C5 and C5-C6
level bilaterally without
causing significant nerve root comptression.
3. Appendages appear normal. Facet joints and flaval
ligaments are normal.
4. Cranio-verterbral junction is normal. Cervico-medullary
junction is normal.
5. Spinal cord is normal in size and signal intensity.
6. Pre and paravertebral soft issues are normal.
7. Dessication of all discs is seen
8. C3-C4, C4-C5 and C5-C6 discs show mild diffuse bulges
indenting dura without cord compression.
Rest of the intervertebral discs appear normal.

Impression:

1. Early degenerative changes
2. C3-C4 level left side postero-lateral osteophyte is indenting
the corresponding exiting nerve root.

Doctor's advise:
- Doctor just said I have a bad problem and it will take time for symptoms to reduce. He also said,
if my MRI is shown to a neuro surgeon, he would immediately advise surgery. He has prescribed 75 mg pregabalin (1-0-1) and neck exercises to strengthen neck muscles. He also mentioned that there
is a very high chance of this problem recurring again.

Questions:
1. What is my condition called (Disc degeneration disease, spondylolysis, osteoarthritis ..)?
2. How serious is the condition (especially since desiccation of all cervical discs is seen)?
3. What are my treatment options? Does chiropractic, ayurvedic or spinal cord decompression
treatments help?

Thanks a lot.
XXXXXXX

Thanks Doctor, for your clear replies. They are indeed helpful.

I have a follow-up question:

Is "root decompression treatment" a surgical procedure?
I am worried about the MRI observation that all cervical discs are desiccated. Are there any targeted exercises for this? I hear about non-surgical spine decompression treatment which claims to infuse fluid back into the dry discs. Is that an option?

Thanks again.
XXXXXXX

Thanks Doctor, that was helpful.

Regards,
XXXXXXX