MRI results on cervical spine. What should I expect next?

@tmbb
What symptoms caused you to see an orthopedic spine specialist and to get the MRI of cervical spine? Did you see a neurologist for EMG/Nerve conduction studies?

Do you have any difficulty with walking/bladder and bowel control? Do you drop things and have grip/handwriting issues? Do you get headaches and have neck/shoulder/arm pain?

I have some bladder control issues. I can loose my balance standing still. I have constant arm, shoulder pain. My arms go to “sleep” every night. I drop many things that I never had problems before. I haven’t seen a neurologist as of this point.

Any information would be greatly appreciated

Hello, have you seen a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon regarding these MRI results? Sounds like c6-7 would be most concerning due to it stating the disc is touching the spinal cord. The results are saying the words “small” protrusion and “mild” stenosis which is lower end of the spectrum. Have you had PT or epidural injections yet? Most often they do this before surgery. If it is causing significant spinal cord compression at that level the surgeon will most likely do a fusion to decompress the cord. Depending on how severe your symptoms are they might go right to surgery. I have personally had that happen and so has a friend of mine (both cervical spine).

Thank you. My symptoms have gotten much worse since I saw the doctor (4 weeks ago) before I had the MRI. I have been taking care of my husband who had 2 vertebra in the lumbar spine fused 3 weeks ago. I suspect that helping him has worsened my problem.

I have follow up appointment is next week.

Im sorry to hear that. I hope your follow up appointment will give you reaults you are looking for. Feel free to reach out to me after that appt. Ive already had 3 cervical spine fusions and laminectomy. Unfortunately my surgeries have led to more issues than fixes, and on the road to more surgery after seeing my most recent MRI from last week. So I can relate to what you are going through. Wishing you well!

You will need a visit with a competent orthopedic surgeon. He will either tell you what he can do for you (surgically) or he will refer you to Physical rehabilitation. My neck is a mess. The surgery didn't fix everything but that is not my surgeon's fault. I have other myomuscular stuff going on. Get a good surgeon. Get opinions from a couple and get a gut feel for what you need to do. good luck.

@loriesco
thank you. I have a do have a very good orthopedic surgeon. Hopefully we will get it straight.

@tmbb so happy to hear it! The osseophytes might be an easy fix (relatively speaking!) if they are in a place causing your problem and the surgeon feels he can work on them to remove what they are impinging on. Orthosurgeons use simple xrays to tell A LOT!

If you have continuing problems find a good orthopedic surgeon and get a second opinion.