Has anyone dealt successfully with Cervical stenosis without surgery?

I had an injury to the the C5-C6 & C6-C7 levels in 2014 exacerbated by herniated discs due to 25 years of using a laptop computer.
Starting in January of 2025, I started having pain in my right shoulder radiating down my right bicep and arm. An MRI was ordered by the Pain Management Specialist. Based on the findings in the radiology report below, is surgery imperative or can it be elective?

Findings: The cervical vertebral bodies are normal in height and alignment with normal marrow signal. There is partial straightening of the cervical spine. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling is noted. There is no evidence of a cervical cord mass, syrinx or Chiari malformation. There is desiccation of the cervical disks.

At C2-C3, there is mild posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal or neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

At C3-C4, there is disc osteophyte complex with broad-based posterior bulging of the disc. There is flattening of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. Mild central spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C4-C5, there is central posterior bulging of the disc with focal effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. No overt spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate narrowing of the left neuroforamen secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C5-C6, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord with significant narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe neuroforaminal stenosis is noted secondary to combination of the disc and facet hypertrophy. Disc height is diminished.

At C6-C7, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with asymmetric narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis is noted. Disc height is markedly diminished.

At C7-T1 there is posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal stenosis is noted. Severe neuroforaminal narrowing is noted. There is loss of disc height.

Impression: Degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine. Multilevel disc bulging with spinal and neuroforaminal stenoses at C3-C4, C5-C6 and C6-C7. Neuroforaminal narrowing at the other levels as described above. Partial straightening of the cervical spine which may be secondary to muscle spasm.

I had an injury to the the C5-C6 & C6-C7 levels in 2014 exacerbated by herniated discs due to 25 years of using a laptop computer.
Starting in January of 2025, I started having pain in my right shoulder radiating down my right bicep and arm. An MRI was ordered by the Pain Management Specialist. Based on the findings in the radiology report below, is surgery imperative or can it be elective?

Findings: The cervical vertebral bodies are normal in height and alignment with normal marrow signal. There is partial straightening of the cervical spine. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling is noted. There is no evidence of a cervical cord mass, syrinx or Chiari malformation. There is desiccation of the cervical disks.

At C2-C3, there is mild posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal or neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

At C3-C4, there is disc osteophyte complex with broad-based posterior bulging of the disc. There is flattening of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. Mild central spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C4-C5, there is central posterior bulging of the disc with focal effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. No overt spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate narrowing of the left neuroforamen secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C5-C6, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord with significant narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe neuroforaminal stenosis is noted secondary to combination of the disc and facet hypertrophy. Disc height is diminished.

At C6-C7, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with asymmetric narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis is noted. Disc height is markedly diminished.

At C7-T1 there is posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal stenosis is noted. Severe neuroforaminal narrowing is noted. There is loss of disc height.

Impression: Degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine. Multilevel disc bulging with spinal and neuroforaminal stenoses at C3-C4, C5-C6 and C6-C7. Neuroforaminal narrowing at the other levels as described above. Partial straightening of the cervical spine which may be secondary to muscle spasm.

I had an injury to the the C5-C6 & C6-C7 levels in 2014 exacerbated by herniated discs due to 25 years of using a laptop computer.
Starting in January of 2025, I started having pain in my right shoulder radiating down my right bicep and arm. An MRI was ordered by the Pain Management Specialist. Based on the findings in the radiology report below, is surgery imperative or can it be elective?

Findings: The cervical vertebral bodies are normal in height and alignment with normal marrow signal. There is partial straightening of the cervical spine. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling is noted. There is no evidence of a cervical cord mass, syrinx or Chiari malformation. There is desiccation of the cervical disks.

At C2-C3, there is mild posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal or neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

At C3-C4, there is disc osteophyte complex with broad-based posterior bulging of the disc. There is flattening of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. Mild central spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C4-C5, there is central posterior bulging of the disc with focal effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. No overt spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate narrowing of the left neuroforamen secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C5-C6, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord with significant narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe neuroforaminal stenosis is noted secondary to combination of the disc and facet hypertrophy. Disc height is diminished.

At C6-C7, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with asymmetric narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis is noted. Disc height is markedly diminished.

At C7-T1 there is posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal stenosis is noted. Severe neuroforaminal narrowing is noted. There is loss of disc height.

Impression: Degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine. Multilevel disc bulging with spinal and neuroforaminal stenoses at C3-C4, C5-C6 and C6-C7. Neuroforaminal narrowing at the other levels as described above. Partial straightening of the cervical spine which may be secondary to muscle spasm.

@jenniferhunter

Thank you for your input. All information is helpful in making a decision. I see a neurosurgeon on Thursday, Aprii 10, 2025. It was my pain management specialist who wrote the Rx for the MRI and is suggesting that I see a surgeon. @dwlandi

I had an injury to the the C5-C6 & C6-C7 levels in 2014 exacerbated by herniated discs due to 25 years of using a laptop computer.
Starting in January of 2025, I started having pain in my right shoulder radiating down my right bicep and arm. An MRI was ordered by the Pain Management Specialist. Based on the findings in the radiology report below, is surgery imperative or can it be elective?

Findings: The cervical vertebral bodies are normal in height and alignment with normal marrow signal. There is partial straightening of the cervical spine. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling is noted. There is no evidence of a cervical cord mass, syrinx or Chiari malformation. There is desiccation of the cervical disks.

At C2-C3, there is mild posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal or neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

At C3-C4, there is disc osteophyte complex with broad-based posterior bulging of the disc. There is flattening of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. Mild central spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C4-C5, there is central posterior bulging of the disc with focal effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. No overt spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate narrowing of the left neuroforamen secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C5-C6, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord with significant narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe neuroforaminal stenosis is noted secondary to combination of the disc and facet hypertrophy. Disc height is diminished.

At C6-C7, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with asymmetric narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis is noted. Disc height is markedly diminished.

At C7-T1 there is posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal stenosis is noted. Severe neuroforaminal narrowing is noted. There is loss of disc height.

Impression: Degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine. Multilevel disc bulging with spinal and neuroforaminal stenoses at C3-C4, C5-C6 and C6-C7. Neuroforaminal narrowing at the other levels as described above. Partial straightening of the cervical spine which may be secondary to muscle spasm.

I had an injury to the the C5-C6 & C6-C7 levels in 2014 exacerbated by herniated discs due to 25 years of using a laptop computer.
Starting in January of 2025, I started having pain in my right shoulder radiating down my right bicep and arm. An MRI was ordered by the Pain Management Specialist. Based on the findings in the radiology report below, is surgery imperative or can it be elective?

Findings: The cervical vertebral bodies are normal in height and alignment with normal marrow signal. There is partial straightening of the cervical spine. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling is noted. There is no evidence of a cervical cord mass, syrinx or Chiari malformation. There is desiccation of the cervical disks.

At C2-C3, there is mild posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal or neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

At C3-C4, there is disc osteophyte complex with broad-based posterior bulging of the disc. There is flattening of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. Mild central spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C4-C5, there is central posterior bulging of the disc with focal effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. No overt spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate narrowing of the left neuroforamen secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C5-C6, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord with significant narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe neuroforaminal stenosis is noted secondary to combination of the disc and facet hypertrophy. Disc height is diminished.

At C6-C7, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with asymmetric narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis is noted. Disc height is markedly diminished.

At C7-T1 there is posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal stenosis is noted. Severe neuroforaminal narrowing is noted. There is loss of disc height.

Impression: Degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine. Multilevel disc bulging with spinal and neuroforaminal stenoses at C3-C4, C5-C6 and C6-C7. Neuroforaminal narrowing at the other levels as described above. Partial straightening of the cervical spine which may be secondary to muscle spasm.

@dwlandi
I am so glad you were able to meet with your neurosurgeon and get some good input for treatment options and next steps.

Happy Easter!

I had an injury to the the C5-C6 & C6-C7 levels in 2014 exacerbated by herniated discs due to 25 years of using a laptop computer.
Starting in January of 2025, I started having pain in my right shoulder radiating down my right bicep and arm. An MRI was ordered by the Pain Management Specialist. Based on the findings in the radiology report below, is surgery imperative or can it be elective?

Findings: The cervical vertebral bodies are normal in height and alignment with normal marrow signal. There is partial straightening of the cervical spine. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling is noted. There is no evidence of a cervical cord mass, syrinx or Chiari malformation. There is desiccation of the cervical disks.

At C2-C3, there is mild posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal or neuroforaminal stenosis is noted.

At C3-C4, there is disc osteophyte complex with broad-based posterior bulging of the disc. There is flattening of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. Mild central spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C4-C5, there is central posterior bulging of the disc with focal effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord. No overt spinal stenosis is noted. There is moderate narrowing of the left neuroforamen secondary to bony hypertrophy.

At C5-C6, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with effacement of the ventral surfaces of the thecal sac and the cervical cord with significant narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe neuroforaminal stenosis is noted secondary to combination of the disc and facet hypertrophy. Disc height is diminished.

At C6-C7, there is posterior disc osteophyte complex with asymmetric narrowing of the central canal. Moderate to severe bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis is noted. Disc height is markedly diminished.

At C7-T1 there is posterior bulging of the disc. No spinal stenosis is noted. Severe neuroforaminal narrowing is noted. There is loss of disc height.

Impression: Degenerative disc disease involving the cervical spine. Multilevel disc bulging with spinal and neuroforaminal stenoses at C3-C4, C5-C6 and C6-C7. Neuroforaminal narrowing at the other levels as described above. Partial straightening of the cervical spine which may be secondary to muscle spasm.

From spine X-rays, MRI, lumbar nerve test and a few shots in lumbar they could not confirm Radiculopothy.
It was the Orthopedic that confirmed Spinal Stenosis and mild Scoliosis and sent me to Physical Therapy where the Physical Therapist noted Radiculopothy.
Because I have had this numbing, burning, stabbing aching in my left thigh for 10+ years but has no idea what it was-I trusted those medically to tell me I was anxious to do the Physical Therapy but it just causes more discomfort as far as numbness, stabbing and burning.
Is it possible to get rid of the left thigh pain with surgery after 10+ years?

I have severe cervical stenosis c3 to c7. I've been to 7 neurosurgeon/orthopedic spine surgeons all top rated. 4 wanted to 4 level acdf,1 wanted to do 7 level laminectomy. 1 said 4 level laminoplasty. 1 more said 7 posterior spacers n 2 level acdf. All above very bad choices. I finally found a world class endoscopic spine surgeon Dr Shen Latham NY also in NYC n new jersey. I did mbb injections in occipital nerves to relief headaches then did radio frequency ablation on both occipital nerves on left n right side that help headaches n pain between shoulder blades. 2 days ago Dr Shen did surgery in Amsterdam NY. He did a 4 level cervical endoscopic laminotomy and foraminotomy. No hardware or fusion. True minimal endoscopic spine surgery outpatient. No pain after surgery. Took pain medications 1 day. Now just taking Tylenol, Gabapentin, cellebrex, icing. No neck collar. Doing much better still sore. Endoscopic spine surgery is the most minimal spine surgery there is .only a small percentage of spine doctors do this because of the years of training it takes. All above surgeries where invented in the late 50s all open surgery with fusion not good. Find a true endoscopic spine surgeon where you live or check Dr Shen Shen-Spine website or heathgrades or you tube. He cares about his patients. Send your mri disc and get a zoom appointment. He's the real deal. Good luck n God bless all people suffering from spine issues.