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What Does This MRI Report For Headache, Neck Pain And Numb Left Arm Indicate?
Question: I have been having severe daily headaches for two months, neck pain, burning/numbness and electrical shocks down left arm. I ended up with 3 ulcers from so many NSAID'S. I have tried massage, cold/heat, chiropractor, neurontin, muscle relaxants and pain meds. I have been in bed for over a month with pain. My Cervical Mri reads:
Dessication seen throughout the cervical disc spaces. There is disc space narrowing from C4-5 through C6-C7.
C2-C3, the the spinal canal & neural foramina are well maintained.
C3-C4, there is a minimal posterior disc bulge
C4-C5, there is a posterior disc bulge & disc space osteophyte complex indenting the anterior thecal sac. There is minimal asymmetric narrowing of the left neural foramina. The spinal canal is minimally narrowed. Right neural foramina is well maintained.
C5-C6, there is a posterior disc bulge & disc space osteophyte complex effacing the anterior CSF space. Spinal canal is mildly narrowed. There is bilateral moderate neural foraminial stenosis from uncovertebral osteophytosis.
C6-C7, there is a posterior disc bulge and disc space osteophyte complex indenting the anterior thecal sac. The spinal canal is minimally narrowed from unconvertebral osteophytosis.
The only thing I haven't tried is epidural/steroid injections. I am waiting on a call from neurosurgeon for consult. Any other ideas how to manage the pain, fullness in my head.
Dessication seen throughout the cervical disc spaces. There is disc space narrowing from C4-5 through C6-C7.
C2-C3, the the spinal canal & neural foramina are well maintained.
C3-C4, there is a minimal posterior disc bulge
C4-C5, there is a posterior disc bulge & disc space osteophyte complex indenting the anterior thecal sac. There is minimal asymmetric narrowing of the left neural foramina. The spinal canal is minimally narrowed. Right neural foramina is well maintained.
C5-C6, there is a posterior disc bulge & disc space osteophyte complex effacing the anterior CSF space. Spinal canal is mildly narrowed. There is bilateral moderate neural foraminial stenosis from uncovertebral osteophytosis.
C6-C7, there is a posterior disc bulge and disc space osteophyte complex indenting the anterior thecal sac. The spinal canal is minimally narrowed from unconvertebral osteophytosis.
The only thing I haven't tried is epidural/steroid injections. I am waiting on a call from neurosurgeon for consult. Any other ideas how to manage the pain, fullness in my head.
Brief Answer:
Intermittent cervical traction can help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The description you have given above goes with Cervical Spondylosis.
You have features of Disc Prolapse at C4-C5-C6-C7 levels with moderate compromise of neural foramen.
Initial Treatment options include Pain Killers and Physiotherapy.
If this is not successful, then, epidural steroid injections and surgical decompression of the disc will be required.
You should do following to have relief -
-Wear a cervical collar. This will at least give rest to your strained muscles.
-Avoid bending your neck at abnormal position for long time, like on computer.
-Do warm water fomentation with help of water bag over your neck.
-Take a good analgesic like combination of tramadol with paracetamol.
-Test for levels of vitamin B12, If low do take Vitamin B12 supplements.
-Take help of a physiothearpist .He will be able to give your relief by intermittent traction, ultrasonic therapy etc.
You must consult your neurosurgeon and get yourself evaluated.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Intermittent cervical traction can help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The description you have given above goes with Cervical Spondylosis.
You have features of Disc Prolapse at C4-C5-C6-C7 levels with moderate compromise of neural foramen.
Initial Treatment options include Pain Killers and Physiotherapy.
If this is not successful, then, epidural steroid injections and surgical decompression of the disc will be required.
You should do following to have relief -
-Wear a cervical collar. This will at least give rest to your strained muscles.
-Avoid bending your neck at abnormal position for long time, like on computer.
-Do warm water fomentation with help of water bag over your neck.
-Take a good analgesic like combination of tramadol with paracetamol.
-Test for levels of vitamin B12, If low do take Vitamin B12 supplements.
-Take help of a physiothearpist .He will be able to give your relief by intermittent traction, ultrasonic therapy etc.
You must consult your neurosurgeon and get yourself evaluated.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you. I take weekly IM B12 injections and B12 level with that regime is in the 600's. I take tramadol and it doesn't seem to help. I have had an occipital nerve block with no success. I will definitely try ultrasound this next week. With the foraminal nerves obviously being compromised do you recommend chiropractors manipulating my neck? I know different neurologist have different opinions.
Brief Answer:
Do not go for manipulations.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
With the foraminal narrowing that you have you should not go to a chiropractor. A physiotherapist can help you in a better way. Manipulations can be dangerous for you and can cause a further damage.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Do not go for manipulations.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
With the foraminal narrowing that you have you should not go to a chiropractor. A physiotherapist can help you in a better way. Manipulations can be dangerous for you and can cause a further damage.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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