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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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MRI Of Thoracic Spine Showing Mild Degenerative Disc Narrowing, Thecal Sac Flattening. Have Pain From Back To Neck. Please Explain

Had a recent MRI of the thoracic spine. I am confused by the result. I have been having constant pain pretty much from my central back to the neck. The results are as follows:

Mild degwerative disc narrowing and minimal posterior bony productive change multiple midthoracic levels causing very mild thecal sac flattening.

Any assistance you can provide in explaining the inplications would be most appreciated.

MS
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Disc is degenerative in between some vertebra,and secondary pressure changes have taken place due to posterior(backward0 protrusion of herniated disc at some levels there upon producing dent on covering (thecal membrane) over spinal cord .
The implications may be gradual progressive degeneration of varying degree of neural and para spinal and intervertebral joints due to loss of shock bearing inter vertebral discs (which act as shock absorbers/cushion at undue pressures on vertebrae).This leads to back pain and in long term some mild bending of spine (kyphosis) may occur
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MRI Of Thoracic Spine Showing Mild Degenerative Disc Narrowing, Thecal Sac Flattening. Have Pain From Back To Neck. Please Explain

Disc is degenerative in between some vertebra,and secondary pressure changes have taken place due to posterior(backward0 protrusion of herniated disc at some levels there upon producing dent on covering (thecal membrane) over spinal cord . The implications may be gradual progressive degeneration of varying degree of neural and para spinal and intervertebral joints due to loss of shock bearing inter vertebral discs (which act as shock absorbers/cushion at undue pressures on vertebrae).This leads to back pain and in long term some mild bending of spine (kyphosis) may occur