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What Does "mild Degenerative Changes" Mean In A Cervical Spine X-ray?
Question: I had x-rays of the Cervical Spine and the Thoracic Spine. The results were Cervical spine xray shows some mild degenerative changes. Thoracic spine shows a curvature. I also have severe TMJ, especially on the right side. Could this be the cause of weakness in my legs and arms? I also have almost constant leg cramps. I suffer from dizziness on and off also. Is there anything I can do for the pain? I have tried muscle relaxers and Naproxen, but the side effects are too intense. I have been using a mouth guard for the past week from the dentist and the pain seems to be getting worse. Also, I have had swelling in my legs and my stomach.
Brief Answer:
Weakness/cramps in legs not related to Cervical
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
I have gone through your medical history carefully and can say as following:
1. Feeling weakness and cramps in your legs and arms might be related to :
- muscle relaxers
- lack of minerals (e.g. magnesium)
- problems with blood circulation in the legs
- neurological issues
2. I advise to run further tests to determine the right cause including:
- ECHO Doppler of blood vessels in the legs
- measure the blood electrolytes (including Na, K, Mg, etc.)
- abdominal ultrasound
- cardiac tests (ECG, cardiac echo) is also advised to rule out cardiac problems.
3. The curvature you have in your spine is located on the thoracic level, and you should be feeling pain/weakness in the arms and not legs. Usually, damages of the nerves from the neck (C4) to the chest (T1) are felt with arms pain; while damages from lumbar area (L1) to sacrum (S1) are associated with pain in the legs.
4. With regards to swelling in the stomach, we should determine whether it is :
- liquid : heart, liver issues
- gas: intestinal bloatiness
Hope it helped! Let me know if I can be of further help!
Dr.Albana
Weakness/cramps in legs not related to Cervical
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
I have gone through your medical history carefully and can say as following:
1. Feeling weakness and cramps in your legs and arms might be related to :
- muscle relaxers
- lack of minerals (e.g. magnesium)
- problems with blood circulation in the legs
- neurological issues
2. I advise to run further tests to determine the right cause including:
- ECHO Doppler of blood vessels in the legs
- measure the blood electrolytes (including Na, K, Mg, etc.)
- abdominal ultrasound
- cardiac tests (ECG, cardiac echo) is also advised to rule out cardiac problems.
3. The curvature you have in your spine is located on the thoracic level, and you should be feeling pain/weakness in the arms and not legs. Usually, damages of the nerves from the neck (C4) to the chest (T1) are felt with arms pain; while damages from lumbar area (L1) to sacrum (S1) are associated with pain in the legs.
4. With regards to swelling in the stomach, we should determine whether it is :
- liquid : heart, liver issues
- gas: intestinal bloatiness
Hope it helped! Let me know if I can be of further help!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had ekg done 6 months ago and an abdominal ultrasound done 4 months ago, where they checked liver, etc. All was fine. We just moved and I have been constantly on my feet. Would this cause it?
Brief Answer:
Work overload;Doppler echo recommended...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX
Work overload or staying standing for long periods can be a possible cause as other tests were ok. However, I still recommend to run Doppler ultrasound to check legs' blood vessels.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Work overload;Doppler echo recommended...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX
Work overload or staying standing for long periods can be a possible cause as other tests were ok. However, I still recommend to run Doppler ultrasound to check legs' blood vessels.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had blood test done to check for clots in legs, they were negative. I also had test to measure the blood electrolytes (including Na, K, Mg, etc.) done and they were all within normal levels. My blood pressure has always been normal, until 3 weeks ago. Could this all be caused from the stress of the move? My legs swelling, blood pressure rising (averages about 130/90 vs previous 119/80). Stomach problems?
Brief Answer:
Urine analysis advised to rule out kidney problems...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX
Thank you for your follow up details.
If Doppler was fine, and other tests were normal too, then, legs swelling might be related to work overload (and stress of the move). However, I need to know if you had any kidney function test and want to know the results? What about any urine analysis? Have you done it recently? Sometimes, urinary/kidney infection might cause swelling of foot.
With regards to your high blood pressure, it might be due to stress or work overload you have been experiencing recently.
Your symptoms are not related to any stomach issues. However, I'd like to know if you are also having:
- heartburn?
- bloating?
- problems with bowel movements?
If no such problems, then, should run urine analysis. If still everything fine, then, it is related to stress.
Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana
Urine analysis advised to rule out kidney problems...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX
Thank you for your follow up details.
If Doppler was fine, and other tests were normal too, then, legs swelling might be related to work overload (and stress of the move). However, I need to know if you had any kidney function test and want to know the results? What about any urine analysis? Have you done it recently? Sometimes, urinary/kidney infection might cause swelling of foot.
With regards to your high blood pressure, it might be due to stress or work overload you have been experiencing recently.
Your symptoms are not related to any stomach issues. However, I'd like to know if you are also having:
- heartburn?
- bloating?
- problems with bowel movements?
If no such problems, then, should run urine analysis. If still everything fine, then, it is related to stress.
Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do have Acid reflux and am on acid blockers, which lately haven't help as much because I have still have heartburn. I have had bloating, and for the past month had diarrhea. My kidneys were checked by CT scan 3 months ago. I had a ruptured cyst on the right kidney, so they did a MRI and nothing else unusual showed. They did not feel the need to do any further testing of the kidneys.
Brief Answer:
Following answer...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
If MRI has shown no serious kidney issues, then, that's great. However, when you have your blood kidney function test and urine analysis, we will get an idea on how your kidney are working.
There are cases when there is an abnormal urine analysis (showing infection), while abdominal ultrasound or other tests would show unremarkable. So, the infection might be there, but it's not serious to cause remarkable changes in the kidney. If you let untreated, it might end up giving serious problems.
I still think you should be run such tests. Can discuss this further with your doctor. Or, you can send to me your lab tests so I can analyze them myself.
Dr.Albana
Following answer...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
If MRI has shown no serious kidney issues, then, that's great. However, when you have your blood kidney function test and urine analysis, we will get an idea on how your kidney are working.
There are cases when there is an abnormal urine analysis (showing infection), while abdominal ultrasound or other tests would show unremarkable. So, the infection might be there, but it's not serious to cause remarkable changes in the kidney. If you let untreated, it might end up giving serious problems.
I still think you should be run such tests. Can discuss this further with your doctor. Or, you can send to me your lab tests so I can analyze them myself.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Further test are not an option right now because of insurance issues. The swelling seems to have resolved itself in my stomach. Still have stomach aches though. My BP is averaging 139/92 for the last 3 weeks, which is unusual since prior to the move it averaged 118/80. I can't seem to get it back to normal. I am also still having problems with dizzy spells, which I'm assuming is related to neck/back and tmj. Anything in particular I need to be concerned about with the kidneys, I seem to pee the same?
Brief Answer:
Burning/pain during urination...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I am happy to hear that swelling in the stomach was resolved.
Your bp readings are indicative for early stages of hypertension. Possible causes could be :
- stress
- work overload
- neck/back problems (pain)
as long as your electrolytes levels are fine.
Dizzy spell might be related to:
- neck/back problems
- increase/oscillations in blood pressure
With regards to kidney problems, apart the quantity, other parameters should be evaluated. Sometimes, infection is there although not having a typical clinical presentation.
Possible symptoms might be:
- burning during urination
- abdominal pain
- difficulty while urinating
- cloudy urine appearance.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Burning/pain during urination...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I am happy to hear that swelling in the stomach was resolved.
Your bp readings are indicative for early stages of hypertension. Possible causes could be :
- stress
- work overload
- neck/back problems (pain)
as long as your electrolytes levels are fine.
Dizzy spell might be related to:
- neck/back problems
- increase/oscillations in blood pressure
With regards to kidney problems, apart the quantity, other parameters should be evaluated. Sometimes, infection is there although not having a typical clinical presentation.
Possible symptoms might be:
- burning during urination
- abdominal pain
- difficulty while urinating
- cloudy urine appearance.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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