The MRI narrative is not qualifying the extent of foraminal or other areas of stenosis. The foramina are tiny holes where the nerves pass through. If they are restricted in any way it will cause a degree of stenosis but your report is so broad it's impossible to know the degree of the impingement for all of C3-TI. Here's an example of what it should read like: ...."cause a reduction in central canal diameter to an estimated 7 mm, a moderate to advanced AP central canal stenosis. Cord compression is present. Neural foraminal stenosis is advanced on the right and mild to moderate on the left." The end end of this is you can't tell which group of nerves are suffering compression nor if the level would require surgical intervention. I believe you should follow up on the mass that could be a nerve sheath tumor as recommended. I am so sorry that your suffering so badly. I just started getting serious neck pain back myself, so I know how awful it can be and how horribly exhausting it is to manage it

I’ve been suffering with C6 & C7. I’ve had some relief with steroid shots, but my arm and fingers still go numb and the pain comes back with too much movement. I have to sleep elevated on 3-4 pillows without turning my body or head to the side. I get temporary relief with a nerve blocker at night called Gabapentin.

I could lay out my whole story but I just want to give you the name of a pain medication I have used for two years with no side effects. It's called suboxone or buprenorphine. It does not contain the part of the opiates that constipates you and you let a tablet dissolve under your tongue.
It takes the pain away in 10-15 minutes.

I would get a second opinion from another surgeon.
I went to Iowa Ortho in Des Moines, Iowa and saw Dr Schmitz.

Get a second opinion

I live with chronic pain now

Read the side effects of acdf as well.

with 20 yrs of chronic neck pain and a new MRI for disc c4 to c6
and facet joint pain my Physiatrist said I dpn't want to get ACDF and i read you could have hardware problems side effects. dropped eye etc.
Only have acdf is needed with constatn arm pain docto told me so I live with pain and hte wamr weather does help. Id like ot move but family is here

I get throat pain also comes and goes.
PT is only good if you do a little at a time every other day I find.
compression could happen more if you do too much an d
Now I learneda lesson to not pull rubber bands for an mri that says bulging disc with osteophyites.

MY PT siad to use them gently but made me have a little nerve pain
fyi

You might see a minimally invasive spine surgeon. I had a brachial branch block that helped.

Alfred, your earlier post gave me information to advise others against surgery with this physician. You've saved more than one person. The institute went out of business, I think they were sued, settled out of court and went bankrupt because of it. Deuk, though, is in business again, alone.
Did you ever find resolution for the seroma. Or did it turn out to be something other than a seroma--infection, something left behind like a surgical sponge. Is that the nerve sheath tumor. From the photos it looked too large.
I wasn't thinking of fusion, but I know the osteophytes can be removed. But the osteophytes can stabilize the spine, so might not be advised, either. The surgeon I saw does the nerve blocks in the office. Are they doing much of that in Australia.
I'm saddened that you are still suffering, but happy to hear you are still fighting it.

I have severe cervical stenosis in a large slippage at the C3 four. I am having a cervical fusion on Monday the 21st with two Neurosurgeon from John Hopkins that moved to Naples, Florida, where I live and opened a practice. They be fusing the first part through the front of my neck m C 3-4 and 4-5 after that is done, and my neck has been closed they will turn me on my stomach and finish by using the C6-7 to the T 1-2 . Living in this type of pain is no longer manageable.
Good luck to everyone suffering from this type of extreme pain. I saw four different neurosurgeons and knew that I was making the right decision.

Hello Alfred, I am so sorry you were going through all this. I remember when you came to Florida, but I didn’t know where you had gone. I’m hoping that you’re able to find a solution to stop this pain. I’m so sorry you had your hopes up for everything to be corrected only to be let down.