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What Do These MRI And X-ray Images For Pain In Neck And Back Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 4 Aug 2015
Question: hi
would be grateful if you could review my neck and back scans including xray and revert back to me with your opinion. The neck is the worst area..bilaterial needle feeling arm pain
thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
I have reviewed all your Mri and xray images from XXXXXXX to July of both cervical and lumbosacral region.
Cervical Mri is showing cord compression due to disc prolapse and osteophytes at C5-C6 level. In comparison to previous imaging it has not worsened.
Lumbosacral Mri shows disc prolapse and compression at L3-L4 causing left foraminal stenosis and compression at L4-5 level causing canal stenosis.
You need to consult a neurosurgeon and physiotherapist continuously.
If you have persistent pain or some neurodeficit in the form of motor weakness, sensory loss or reflex loss then surgical options have to be considered else medicines and physiotherapy will help.
Hope you recover early.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (3 hours later)
Many thanks for your reply..is there a difference between the lumbar spine scans..see new scan attached for july 14
I do not have numbness in the hands but have severe stiffness..would this give reason for an operation..i wonder if the bad car crash in March adding to this pain..whip lash..
can this go away on its own with time..
would a nerve block help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Be in consultation with a neurosurgeon

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Lumbar scan comparison are not remarkable different but you have significant Canal stenosis at L4-5 level. You need to do physiotherapy regularly.
Cervical issue needs operation if pain is not improving. You can wait for some time if only stiffness is present.
Yes, whiplash injury could also lead to injury of cervical cord region but degenerative changes are also present.
Nerve block will help in pain only. If significant pain not controlled by medication is there then you can try nerve block.
Be in constant touch of neurosurgeon and physiotherapist for time to time evaluation and proper guidance.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (6 hours later)
can you compare the scan in july 14 to now..lumbar area..
is there much compression?

is it worth the risk of surgery if there is only stiffness..the stiffness is fairly severe
I did not think it was so near the cord..is there a guarantee with surgery for the neck and is this successful

surely surgery is last resort..would a facet joint injection help..how do they know what nerve is been effected
what is canal stenosis..radioliolist mentioned diameters were normal (back(
thanks alot

doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have compared your last year July lumbosacral scan with present one. There is progression of disc prolapse at L4-5 and compression of exiting roots.
The symptoms are according to nerve root compressed.
Canal stenosis is decrease in central area of vertebrae. It may or may not lead to significant symptoms.
Surgical procedure is relatively safe but not without due surgical and anesthesia risk. Decision to surgery is based on assessment of neurodeficit, pain and associated risk.
A neurosurgeon will be the best person to advise you about surgery after examining you in person.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (7 hours later)
Thanks for answering this
A few questions..
Is it worth getting a facet joint injection in the neck area..
the symptoms I have is a severe needle feelng pain in the arms (both).
surely this is dangerous?
I see there is spinal stenosis.. is there anyway this will clear up on its own..
could a nerve block solve the problem
Could whiplash cause some of the pain that I have got

thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Facet joint injection is helpful for local pain of joint between to vertebral bones and will not be very helpful in pain due to nerve root compression and radiation to arms.
Disc prolapse improves in some people with physiotherapy but it's not the case in everyone.
You can try these treatment for few months but with vigilance.
Nerve block is a technique to reduce and abate pain but actual compression of disc and nerve roots doesn't go.
Whiplash mediated disc prolapse and cord compression may be the cause of pain.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (2 hours later)
thanks
so basically you are saying that really I need surgery..
what type of surgery do you think will be in the neck...
I was meant to have surgery in the back last year but things settled..
is the cord compression dangerous at this point?
thanks
XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consider surgery only if not improving on medication

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Surgical decision is to be taken by neurosurgeon after considering all the factors.
Two approaches at cervical level can be done. One is anterior decompression and dissection with fusion. Second is posterior laminectomy and decompression.
It's not very dangerous but risk is present during every surgery.
You can wait if your treating neurosurgeon is of such an opinion after examining you and reviewing your reports.
Surgery is the last step.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (4 hours later)
thanks for this answer..is the neck safe the way it is now..is the neck stable
thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
neck is stable but disc compression is present

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes presently the neck is stable. The effect is due to disc compression. The prognosis depends upon present clinical status.
Hope you recover early.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Neeraj Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2259 Questions

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What Do These MRI And X-ray Images For Pain In Neck And Back Indicate?

Brief Answer: Detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. I have reviewed all your Mri and xray images from XXXXXXX to July of both cervical and lumbosacral region. Cervical Mri is showing cord compression due to disc prolapse and osteophytes at C5-C6 level. In comparison to previous imaging it has not worsened. Lumbosacral Mri shows disc prolapse and compression at L3-L4 causing left foraminal stenosis and compression at L4-5 level causing canal stenosis. You need to consult a neurosurgeon and physiotherapist continuously. If you have persistent pain or some neurodeficit in the form of motor weakness, sensory loss or reflex loss then surgical options have to be considered else medicines and physiotherapy will help. Hope you recover early. Hope you found the answer helpful. Do get back to me for further queries. Regards Dr Neeraj Kumar Neurologist