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What Does The Following MRI Result Indicate?
Question: Hi I would appreciate your opinion on the following. In 2009 I had a fusion at c5/c6 due to ruptured disc causing numbness, tingling & weekness down my right arm, pain in shoulder, elbow & fingers. Unfortunately I again had similar symptoms for the last couple of months but this time the pain has been unbearable in my arm, shoulder blade & forearm. Prescribed medications Lyrica, Mobic, oxycodene & end one have done nothing in reducing the pain. It is the worst pain I can ever recall having and had put my life on hold. An MRI showed the following result :-
"C6/7 Degenerative disc disease with reduced disc height and disc signal and mild posterior central disc bulging. Moderate disc/osteophytic neural foraminal compromise is appreciated bilaterally with probable compression on the existing right and left c7 nerve roots."
I see my neuro surgeon in 2 days and I'm actually hoping he says he will perform surgery adapt as the pain is unbearable. What do you think my options are. Would very much appreciate your opinion if you think another fusion is what I'm up for.
"C6/7 Degenerative disc disease with reduced disc height and disc signal and mild posterior central disc bulging. Moderate disc/osteophytic neural foraminal compromise is appreciated bilaterally with probable compression on the existing right and left c7 nerve roots."
I see my neuro surgeon in 2 days and I'm actually hoping he says he will perform surgery adapt as the pain is unbearable. What do you think my options are. Would very much appreciate your opinion if you think another fusion is what I'm up for.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The MRI answer is a little inconclusive since it speaks of probable compression. So in interpreting it one must consider the correlation with the symptoms. In your case there are marked manifestations on the right which indicate there is indeed compression, however when the distribution of the pain and imaging is not convincing the neurosurgeon may want to do nerve conduction studies to make sure.
If indeed there is certain compression there is either the conservative option of medication and physical therapy, or surgery. In your case it seems conservative approach is not being effective so surgery should be considered.
The type of surgery can't be precised so easily, the neurosurgeon must consider the MRI images, site of compression, at times depends also on the neurosurgeons individual experience'and preference with one type of surgery or the other. The surgery types are either another fusion, or removing the degenerated disc and replace it with an artificial one, or a more conservative approach Laminoforaminotomy, which means (if possible) not removing the disc but only the herniated fragments and the osteophytes (bony spurs) causing the compression.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The MRI answer is a little inconclusive since it speaks of probable compression. So in interpreting it one must consider the correlation with the symptoms. In your case there are marked manifestations on the right which indicate there is indeed compression, however when the distribution of the pain and imaging is not convincing the neurosurgeon may want to do nerve conduction studies to make sure.
If indeed there is certain compression there is either the conservative option of medication and physical therapy, or surgery. In your case it seems conservative approach is not being effective so surgery should be considered.
The type of surgery can't be precised so easily, the neurosurgeon must consider the MRI images, site of compression, at times depends also on the neurosurgeons individual experience'and preference with one type of surgery or the other. The surgery types are either another fusion, or removing the degenerated disc and replace it with an artificial one, or a more conservative approach Laminoforaminotomy, which means (if possible) not removing the disc but only the herniated fragments and the osteophytes (bony spurs) causing the compression.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much for your prompt reply. As surgery is the likely option, which my GP also advised that would probably the case. My next question is how long before I would be able to travel from Melbourne to XXXXXXX a 10 hour non stop flight. We are going on a very long awaited vacation in exactly 12 weeks. I'm travelling business class and everything is booked and paid for. As I see my neuro surgeon in 2 days, I'm hoping he books the surgery the same week, which is what he did for my last fusion, do you think 12 weeks would be enough time to recover enough to fly for 10 hours to our dream vacation? Appreciate your thoughts.
Brief Answer:
12 weeks should be enough
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.
If surgery is done the same week and one assumes there won't be any post-surgery complications like infections (rare) I believe that you will have enough time to recover for your holiday, generally after 6 weeks you should have recovered well enough. I wonder if some physical therapy sessions might be recommended, those might last longer for months, but a few weeks of pause for your vacation should be alright, to be resumed later.
I hope things work out in the best way.
12 weeks should be enough
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.
If surgery is done the same week and one assumes there won't be any post-surgery complications like infections (rare) I believe that you will have enough time to recover for your holiday, generally after 6 weeks you should have recovered well enough. I wonder if some physical therapy sessions might be recommended, those might last longer for months, but a few weeks of pause for your vacation should be alright, to be resumed later.
I hope things work out in the best way.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you kindly for your much appreciated opinion. I undertook Physical
Theraphy after my last fusion but as it was nearly 6 years ago, I can't remember the recovery time. I do remember the post surgery was quite painful for about the first week. We booked & paid for our vacation just prior to all this drama with my neck and although we have travel insurance, the issue is considered pre existing so it would be very costly to have to cancel our trip, not to mention the disappointment of not being able to go.
I only just discovered website today and think it is amazing.
Thank you again, your response to my questions have lifted my spirits. I'm now in the positive frame of mind to tackle whatever challenges my surgery holds and look forward to an amazing vacation if all goes well.
Theraphy after my last fusion but as it was nearly 6 years ago, I can't remember the recovery time. I do remember the post surgery was quite painful for about the first week. We booked & paid for our vacation just prior to all this drama with my neck and although we have travel insurance, the issue is considered pre existing so it would be very costly to have to cancel our trip, not to mention the disappointment of not being able to go.
I only just discovered website today and think it is amazing.
Thank you again, your response to my questions have lifted my spirits. I'm now in the positive frame of mind to tackle whatever challenges my surgery holds and look forward to an amazing vacation if all goes well.
Brief Answer:
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your kind words. Wish you best of luck.
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your kind words. Wish you best of luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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