Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Cervical Column Disease
Question: Hello, I have been treated over the last year for a lumbar spine injury which had me moving forward on a L5~S1 fusion on Sept 11. This has provided good relief post operatively with some pain now being experienced in the SI joints.
Following surgery on my lumbar spike kand eliminating all pain medication. I have noticded_experienced numbness and tingling in my right arm extending down to my fingers, such that it becomes painful to use my laptop. I also am awakened multiple times a night due to numbness in both hands.
My MRI findings are as follows:
C2-C3 There is a 2-3 mm diffuse disc bulge which effaced the ventral subarachnoid space and contributes to central canal stenosis without causing any compression of the cord or foraminal narrowing
C3-C4 there is a 1-2mm disc osteophyte complex which along with the congenital narrowing contributes to mild spinal canal stenosis (AP diameter 10 mm). Combination of uncovertebral and facet joint hypertropy contributes to a moderate degree of right foraminel A moderate degree of right foraminal exit zone compromise mild narrowing is noted on the left side
C4-C5 there is a 2 mm disc osteophyte complex with an annular tear. This has right central focal its where it is touching the cord. There is a moderate degree of central spinal cord stenosis, left greater than right, foraminifera exit zone compromise Facet joint hypertroph is noted.
c5-C6 There is a 5-6mm. Osteophyte complex which has central and right central focality, This is causing compressions of the cord from the right anterolaterwl aspect contributing to central spinal canal stenosis ( AP diameter 8mm} and moderate degree of right foraminal exit zone compromise. There is moderate narrowing also noted on the left side. Please correlate for syptoms of right C6 radiculopathy
C6-C7 a 4-5mm disc protrusion is noted,who along the congenital narrowing contributes to central spinal canal stenosis. There is also bilateral foramonil exit zone comprise
I had an EMG yesterday which identified nerve and muscle damage. All of this has presented itself folling a motor vehicle on January 3rd of 2014. Any suggestion on how to proceed?
Following surgery on my lumbar spike kand eliminating all pain medication. I have noticded_experienced numbness and tingling in my right arm extending down to my fingers, such that it becomes painful to use my laptop. I also am awakened multiple times a night due to numbness in both hands.
My MRI findings are as follows:
C2-C3 There is a 2-3 mm diffuse disc bulge which effaced the ventral subarachnoid space and contributes to central canal stenosis without causing any compression of the cord or foraminal narrowing
C3-C4 there is a 1-2mm disc osteophyte complex which along with the congenital narrowing contributes to mild spinal canal stenosis (AP diameter 10 mm). Combination of uncovertebral and facet joint hypertropy contributes to a moderate degree of right foraminel A moderate degree of right foraminal exit zone compromise mild narrowing is noted on the left side
C4-C5 there is a 2 mm disc osteophyte complex with an annular tear. This has right central focal its where it is touching the cord. There is a moderate degree of central spinal cord stenosis, left greater than right, foraminifera exit zone compromise Facet joint hypertroph is noted.
c5-C6 There is a 5-6mm. Osteophyte complex which has central and right central focality, This is causing compressions of the cord from the right anterolaterwl aspect contributing to central spinal canal stenosis ( AP diameter 8mm} and moderate degree of right foraminal exit zone compromise. There is moderate narrowing also noted on the left side. Please correlate for syptoms of right C6 radiculopathy
C6-C7 a 4-5mm disc protrusion is noted,who along the congenital narrowing contributes to central spinal canal stenosis. There is also bilateral foramonil exit zone comprise
I had an EMG yesterday which identified nerve and muscle damage. All of this has presented itself folling a motor vehicle on January 3rd of 2014. Any suggestion on how to proceed?
Brief Answer:
Conservative treatment should be tried first.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.
According to MRI findings there is degenerative cervical column disease too, besides herniated disc disease, so initially conservative treatment should be started and this includes physical therapy, NSAID drugs, cervical collar for about two months during the day.
If these measures fail to improve your symptoms after two months, then decompressive surgery should be discussed.
There is need for another MRI after six months in order to assess progression or not to cervical column damages.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions feel free to ask.
Conservative treatment should be tried first.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.
According to MRI findings there is degenerative cervical column disease too, besides herniated disc disease, so initially conservative treatment should be started and this includes physical therapy, NSAID drugs, cervical collar for about two months during the day.
If these measures fail to improve your symptoms after two months, then decompressive surgery should be discussed.
There is need for another MRI after six months in order to assess progression or not to cervical column damages.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions feel free to ask.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
