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Sciatica, it's crippling me: Who to turn to?

Spine Health | Last Active: Oct 30, 2023 | Replies (48)

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@justclintdavis

I know you are not a doctor, but I hope that someone can give there opinion on this report

This is the report that interprets my MRI :

* At C3-4 there is mild, broad-based posterior disc bulging and bilateral uncinate proliferation.
This results in severe bilateral foraminal stenosis, right greater than left.
* At C4-5 there is minor left-sided uncinate proliferation with mild left foraminal stenosis.
* At C6-7 there is right-sided uncinate proliferation with mild to moderate foraminal stenosis.
* No other significant extradural defects or stenosis.
* The cervical spinal cord is unremarkable with no evidence of flattening, enlargement, or abnormal
signal intensity.
* No abnormal enhancement is demonstrated.
* The bony structures are within normal limits.

Impression:
1. Posterior disc bulging and spondylosis at C3-4, with severe bilateral foraminal stenosis, right
greater than left.
2. Mild left foraminal stenosis at C4-5.
3. Mild/moderate right foraminal stenosis at C6-7.

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Replies to "I know you are not a doctor, but I hope that someone can give there opinion..."

@justclintdavis Your report says there is no spinal cord compression, but it does indicate that at C3-C4 there can be slipping of the vertebrae because the disc isn’t holding the vertebrae in line. Do you know how much it slips? That might be measured on x-ray with flexion and extension images. There is a posterior disc bulge at that level and it potentially may be able to slip and touch the spinal cord. A doctor needs to answer on if that is happening. I was working with a physical therapist before spine surgery and when my vertebrae slipped, I had an uneven gait and some bladder symptoms; those resolved completely when my physical therapist was getting my vertebrae realigned again until the next muscle spasm threw it out again. My movement was about 2 mm. You may have some instability at that level that could cause intermittent pressure on the spinal cord. Your report also indicates issues at nerve roots. Those are very predictable as to where you’ll feel pain which you can look up on a dermatome map. Touching or compressing the spinal cord can cause various symptoms that can change with different neck positions. If I bent my neck forward, I could send an electric shock down my entire body. It may be hard to tell if the cervical spine or lumbar spine is causing your leg symptoms. Of course the fusion at C5/C6 resolved it all for me.

Jennifer