Question: I've included my cervical MRI report below that was done about 2 weeks ago. I see my neurologist this Thursday to review and discuss. I just had general questions in the interim. I have both cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease issues. Last Oct I had an artificial disc placed at C5-6. Worsening symptoms to my arms and fingers (pain, numbness and tingling) prompted the follow up MRI recently done to further investigate. I experience episodes of pain in my arms (not at the same time an intermittent) and sudden numbness, tingling and pain to my hands (specifically my thumb, index & middle finger; occurring on both sides at the same time and other times only on one). Problem areas noted were of course present on the initial cervical MRI I had last year but have since worsened. I'm thinking surgical intervention may be appropriate (will know more Thurs) but am curious what some of the options may be?
Cervical MRI

CONCLUSION: Technical limitation on the current study relates to susceptibility artifact at the C5-6 level as detailed below. Posterior disc bulging at C3-4 produces mild canal stenosis and mild ventral cord flattening without severe cord compression and the spinal canal and neural foramina are adequate at C2-3 and C7-T1.

FINDINGS: Susceptibility artifact related to fusion hardware or other surgical implant at the C5-6 level obscures detail in the region of the spinal canal and neural framina at and adjacent to the C5-6 level. There is mild anterolisthesis of C3 upon C4 and the craniocervical and atlantoaxial articulations are preserved with the odontoid process intact. No acute cervical fractures are detected.

C2-3 Unremarkable
C3-4 Broad-based posterior disc bulging at this level effaces the ventral subarachnoid space and produces mild canal stenosis. AP canal dimension 8-9 mm and mild ventral cord flattening without significant cord compression. Neural foramina are adequate at C3-4.
C4-5 Neural foramina appear adequate and this level and there is limited visualization of the contents of the spinal canal with no severe cord compression suspected.
C5-6 Spinal canal and neural foramina cannot be visualized at this level secondary to artifact.
C6-7 There is suspected posterior disc bulging at this level without severe cord compression or foraminal narrowing.
C7-T1 Unremarkable