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What Does My Scan Test Result Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 23 Aug 2016
Question: How serious is this: "C5-C6, foraminal stenosis produced by large far LEFT lateral and foraminal disc extrusion which also flattens the ventral lateral surface of the cord on the far LEFT side. There is an underlying ventral disc osteophyte complex with superimposed thin broad-based disc extrusion which flattens the ventral cord surface. There is RIGHT foraminal stenosis produced by uncovertebral arthrosis and rightward extension of thin disc extrusion. There is effacement of the dorsal subarachnoid spaces. There is equivocal cord signal abnormality, consistent with myelomalacia versus edema."
Can't get into the doctor for another week. Left arm is very weak and hand is tingly, fingers numb and a lot of pain in the shoulder and arm.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
dont panic

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..
How was your day?

Hope this message finds you in good health.

I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern.

I generally see many cases like this at my clinic.I give them a splint,rest,analgesics,anti-inflammatory tablets and ice pack till the swelling reduces to some extent. Then i get an xray and if necessary an mri done to find out the exact reason.


In your case, for the pain and tingling numbness,there are 3 possibilities-

POSSIBILITY 1. SOFT TISSUE INFLAMMATION- there may be no bony involvement,only the soft tissues around the back might be inflammed that may be causing the pain

POSSIBILITY 2. NEUROPATHY- there may be a partial or complete swelling of the nerves in that region that may be the root cause of such kind of pain.

POSSIBILITY 3. DISC PROLAPSE- the compressed nerve that has been reported in your mri report might be causing radiating pain in those regions.

Though the report sounds very frightening, dont get panicked at all. The doctor may suggest a surgery to decompress the nerves in neck. Though this is not wrong,but what i generally recommend is not to do surgeries on spines unless untill you have tried all other options. Once surgery is performed,the spine becomes relatively weak for the rest of your life.
I suggest you to get a 10 to 15 days course of physiotherapy- cervical traction,infra red, short wave diathermy, cervical collar , rest, if necessary iv fluids.

see the results you get, and then assess if you need to go for surgery.

You should eventually get back to normal in coming few days.Nothing to worry about, as long as i am there to help you.     

I hope your question has been answered.

Feel free to consult me anytime for follow-up queries. Take care,God bless.
Wish you a healthy life : )
If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion.

Kind Regards..
Dr Mahaveer Patil,
Consulting Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon

-     If you were satisfied and happy with my answer ,PLEASE RATE THIS ANSWER AND LEAVE YOUR SINCERE FEEDBACK .
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
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Answered by
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Dr. Mahaveer Patil

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 1209 Questions

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What Does My Scan Test Result Indicate?

Brief Answer: dont panic Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. How was your day? Hope this message finds you in good health. I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern. I generally see many cases like this at my clinic.I give them a splint,rest,analgesics,anti-inflammatory tablets and ice pack till the swelling reduces to some extent. Then i get an xray and if necessary an mri done to find out the exact reason. In your case, for the pain and tingling numbness,there are 3 possibilities- POSSIBILITY 1. SOFT TISSUE INFLAMMATION- there may be no bony involvement,only the soft tissues around the back might be inflammed that may be causing the pain POSSIBILITY 2. NEUROPATHY- there may be a partial or complete swelling of the nerves in that region that may be the root cause of such kind of pain. POSSIBILITY 3. DISC PROLAPSE- the compressed nerve that has been reported in your mri report might be causing radiating pain in those regions. Though the report sounds very frightening, dont get panicked at all. The doctor may suggest a surgery to decompress the nerves in neck. Though this is not wrong,but what i generally recommend is not to do surgeries on spines unless untill you have tried all other options. Once surgery is performed,the spine becomes relatively weak for the rest of your life. I suggest you to get a 10 to 15 days course of physiotherapy- cervical traction,infra red, short wave diathermy, cervical collar , rest, if necessary iv fluids. see the results you get, and then assess if you need to go for surgery. You should eventually get back to normal in coming few days.Nothing to worry about, as long as i am there to help you. I hope your question has been answered. Feel free to consult me anytime for follow-up queries. Take care,God bless. Wish you a healthy life : ) If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion. Kind Regards.. Dr Mahaveer Patil, Consulting Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon - If you were satisfied and happy with my answer ,PLEASE RATE THIS ANSWER AND LEAVE YOUR SINCERE FEEDBACK .