What Does This X-ray Report Indicate?
Thoracic Spine
Alignment within normal limits aside from minimal kyphosis centered mid thoracic spine. Multilevel degenerative change is seen in the thoracic spine. There is diffuse osteopenia. No convincing compression fracture. Pedicles in the thoracic spine overall appear intact. Paravertebral soft tissues normal .
They also think I may have Fibromyalgia, I have wide spread pain all the time, and have the following (Extremely tender Spots) Back of Neck---Shoulders---Elbows--lower back--hips-- knees--around the shoulder blades--thighs- rib cage. and hyper sensitive skin on lower legs.
With all of this going on I don't seem to be getting any direction, I need to loose 60 lbs, but I can physically do much to help that process along. Even chair yoga caused pain for weeks and weeks. I have a stomach which has had long scar from Gallbladder removal, another for appendix and a horizontal C-section. So My stomach causes great stress on my back, I have tried a belly belt, mild for post surgery patients, it seems to cause my back to be pulled too much and causes secondary pain. I have tried orthotics and they have all caused more pain (and I have given them a chance to work, pain just gets worse and worse, so I had to stop using them. I have many pairs of shoes I cannot use, because if my heals are elevated or lowered with no arch supports which there aren't anymore in shoes then that causes pain. I seriously don't know what to do. Is there a specialist I should be seeing, I need someone to tell me more than JUST THE RESULTS OF THE TESTS< an interactive and helpful doctor would be helpful, and I have changed doctors in the last two years for that reason and it seems to be the same with this one. Doctors just seem to want their fee for the office visit and don't want to give the information you need to help you. Can you please give me any advice and the direction in which I should be going at this point.
Spine MRI is necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
I will try to answer all your questions and concerns. If I will miss something, please point this out.
First of all I want you to know that spine X-ray is a kind of historic test. Especially if its about spinal cord diagnosis. Nowadays we can use an X-ray to determine major fractures and some advanced degeneration. But this test really does not tell anything about possible spinal cord compression.
Your symptoms clearly indicate that there is some compression in the cervical level and lumbal level as well. Due to nerve compression on the cervical level you may have also palm weakness (like sometimes you are loosing the grip). Lower legs hypersensitive skin is also typical symptom for lower spine compression.
Minor spine compression can be treated with physical therapy and medicines (hernia belt weakens spine muscles by the way). But if after trying this solution, you see no improvement, surgical help seems necessary.
In my opinion your path is simple. This is what you should do:
- go for spine MRI (cervical and lumbal)
- consult neurosurgeon
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Sue DeFoor Mcconnell
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. Hope you will get well soon.