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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: Hi, i'm male 53, 6 ft 1", 215 lbs. History of RA, left hip replacement, right wrist fusion, 10 years ago 2 lamenectomies in lower spine, removal of parts of facets. many epedurals and RFI nerve treatments, but none effective for chronic pain in lower back - mainly in left bottock. feels like knife stabing.
Most recently pain in my middle back, neck, lower skull and left shoulder. I just received MRI results. Overall impression is multilevel degenerative changes as enumerated above. Findings are most prominent at C3-4 and C5-6 where there is definite evidence for cord impingement.
I have broad disc and osteophyte complex at C3,4,5,6,7 and narrowing of neural canal from 8mm to 10mm in the midline. Also mild foraminal stenosis secondarry to hypertrophy at the uncovertebral joints. Mild posterior disc and osteophyte complex equivocally minimally effacing the ventral cord C4-5.
C3-4: also mild loss of height from the disc.
Some days I can barely turn my head or bend my head down, but always painful. Any idea what's going on? Is it just getting old? Thank you for your observation and reply.
Most recently pain in my middle back, neck, lower skull and left shoulder. I just received MRI results. Overall impression is multilevel degenerative changes as enumerated above. Findings are most prominent at C3-4 and C5-6 where there is definite evidence for cord impingement.
I have broad disc and osteophyte complex at C3,4,5,6,7 and narrowing of neural canal from 8mm to 10mm in the midline. Also mild foraminal stenosis secondarry to hypertrophy at the uncovertebral joints. Mild posterior disc and osteophyte complex equivocally minimally effacing the ventral cord C4-5.
C3-4: also mild loss of height from the disc.
Some days I can barely turn my head or bend my head down, but always painful. Any idea what's going on? Is it just getting old? Thank you for your observation and reply.
Brief Answer:
intractable pain from RA and Neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your medical concerns.
From you history it sounds like you have experienced numerous operations and procedures to help reduce your pain. At this time you sound like you are at the end of your rope and needing some advice on where to turn.
Your symptoms sound very much like chronic pain syndrome where your bodies overall pain is exacerbated by the nerve endings over responding to painful stimuli. This is not your fault it is just something that happens in cases like yours. In my practice I have tried long term opiates and antidepressants like Effexor or anti-convulsant medication s like Gabapentin or Lyrica. They work to a small extent but still leave people in pain.
To help reduce pain I would recommend continuing with these medications but I also recommend meditation and yoga or Tai Chi. You may have already hear or are using these other methods but you need to start and really give these modalities a chance. I recommend finding a good book on meditation exercises including progressive muscle relaxation, dreamscape, Chakra meditation. Along with meditation a good program with either Tai Chi or yoga will also improve mobility and reduce pain. I truly think that without the addition of the meditation and exercise programs you will not be able to maximize your recovery.
Then for a truly off the wall approach have you considered medical marijuana? There are studies that do show medical marijuana will help reduce pain.
As far as what your studies MRI ect. show they do show disease and whether surgery would be helpful is something you will need to discuss with your doctors. And on what type of surgeon to use is really to chose the doctor who has had the most experience with the procedure. It is in your right to question how many of these surgeries they have performed and what were their outcomes. You have a right to know this and if your doctor becomes defensive about his surgical record then maybe he is not the right doctor for you.
In summary
1. Start a good meditation program Progressive muscle relaxation, dreamscape or Chakra
2. Start Tai Chi or Yoga to improve mobility and core muscle strength
3. Trial of Medical Marijuana
4. Question surgeon on procedure and outcomes. Risk vs. Benefits from surgery
I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions or if you need additional information
intractable pain from RA and Neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your medical concerns.
From you history it sounds like you have experienced numerous operations and procedures to help reduce your pain. At this time you sound like you are at the end of your rope and needing some advice on where to turn.
Your symptoms sound very much like chronic pain syndrome where your bodies overall pain is exacerbated by the nerve endings over responding to painful stimuli. This is not your fault it is just something that happens in cases like yours. In my practice I have tried long term opiates and antidepressants like Effexor or anti-convulsant medication s like Gabapentin or Lyrica. They work to a small extent but still leave people in pain.
To help reduce pain I would recommend continuing with these medications but I also recommend meditation and yoga or Tai Chi. You may have already hear or are using these other methods but you need to start and really give these modalities a chance. I recommend finding a good book on meditation exercises including progressive muscle relaxation, dreamscape, Chakra meditation. Along with meditation a good program with either Tai Chi or yoga will also improve mobility and reduce pain. I truly think that without the addition of the meditation and exercise programs you will not be able to maximize your recovery.
Then for a truly off the wall approach have you considered medical marijuana? There are studies that do show medical marijuana will help reduce pain.
As far as what your studies MRI ect. show they do show disease and whether surgery would be helpful is something you will need to discuss with your doctors. And on what type of surgeon to use is really to chose the doctor who has had the most experience with the procedure. It is in your right to question how many of these surgeries they have performed and what were their outcomes. You have a right to know this and if your doctor becomes defensive about his surgical record then maybe he is not the right doctor for you.
In summary
1. Start a good meditation program Progressive muscle relaxation, dreamscape or Chakra
2. Start Tai Chi or Yoga to improve mobility and core muscle strength
3. Trial of Medical Marijuana
4. Question surgeon on procedure and outcomes. Risk vs. Benefits from surgery
I hope this answers your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns and questions or if you need additional information
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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