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What Do My MRI Test Results Indicate?
Question: Hi, I am a 44 year old female with a history of SLE and Severe lupus related arthritis. I just got mri results for my cervical spine. I had a C5-C6 bone graft fusion, spinal decompression and discectomy 12 years ago and now my mri shows, rupture disc at C4-C5 with mild stenosis and moderate to severe foramina stenosis and moderate osteophyte. It also shows rupture at C6-C7 with moderate spinal stenosis and severe foramina stenosis to the right and left.also stated I have moderate flattening of spinal cord on both levels. and mild hyper intensity with in the spinal cord itself...My question, what kind of surgery will i be looking at with all these levels being so messed up? And...Is there anything to do to avoid surgery at all?
Brief Answer:
Surgery unlikely to be done....unless pains are life threatening!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this pain and these MRI findings. Honestly, the levels are so diffuse that addressing them through surgery would be extensive and am not sure the prospects of having complication are somewhat higher. I will rather suggest you get to a pain clinic and only accept surgery if drugs fail with no prospects of any better option for pain.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Surgery unlikely to be done....unless pains are life threatening!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this pain and these MRI findings. Honestly, the levels are so diffuse that addressing them through surgery would be extensive and am not sure the prospects of having complication are somewhat higher. I will rather suggest you get to a pain clinic and only accept surgery if drugs fail with no prospects of any better option for pain.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
my next question is what would they be able to do if surgery has to be done? My pain management Dr says I will have to have surgery or risk severe nerve damage. Would they do another bone graft and fuse entire neck? basically what are the surgical options...I am 44 and already suffer from chronic pain and want this fixed if possible just wondering what they will do if they can? I'm too young too take pain meds for the rest of my life. unlike some chronic pain managed patients who become addicted, i hate them and don't want to be on them...
Brief Answer:
I understand your concerns!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Well, if narrowing is such that it will greatly affect nerves, then surgery to liberate them is the best available option. True pain medications are not always without side effects but be rest assured that they are only used when we weigh the gains to outweigh the risk. But for the extensive nature of these lesions, surgery would have been an easier approach. However if surgery remains the best approach, it has to be extensive. Fusion is often the most used technique when addressing vertebrae issues.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Let me know what your immediate take is on this.
I understand your concerns!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Well, if narrowing is such that it will greatly affect nerves, then surgery to liberate them is the best available option. True pain medications are not always without side effects but be rest assured that they are only used when we weigh the gains to outweigh the risk. But for the extensive nature of these lesions, surgery would have been an easier approach. However if surgery remains the best approach, it has to be extensive. Fusion is often the most used technique when addressing vertebrae issues.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Let me know what your immediate take is on this.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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