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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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MRI Of Cervical Spine Showed C6-7 As Large Left Paracentral Disc Herniation Effecting Spinal Cord, With Canal Stenosis And Osteophyte Formation. Explain

I had a recent MRI of my cervical spine with disc herniations from C3-7 but the one that concerns me is C6-7 noted as a large left paracentral disc herniation that effaces the spinal cord and deviates it to the right, with moderate canal stenosis and osteophyte formation, moderate right foraminal stenosis...suspect the exiting nerve root is significantly affected prior to entering the neural foramen proper.
Fri, 16 Aug 2013
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Spine Surgeon 's  Response
Thanks for writing to us.
C6-7 disc herniation means the disc material has shifted back words and pressing on the nerve which is coming out of the spinal cord and going into the arm. This usually cause pain and tingling in the arm. Canal stenosis means there is compromised space for the neural structures due to the disc herniation and osteophyte (bony spur from the vertebral end plates). Thanks.
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement Dr. Saurabh Gupta's  Response
Hi and welcome to HCM
As per your MRI report there is significant nerve root compression at the level of c6-7 by disc herniation. This might be responsible for your symptoms.
The following is the treatment protocol options available to you:

1. First line of treatment for a cervical herniated disc is to take care of pain. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin) or COX-2 inhibitors (e.g. Celebrex) can help reduce the pain. For patients with severe pain from a herniated disc, oral steroids (such as Prednisone) may give even better pain relief. However, these medications can only be used for a short period of time (one week).

2. Additional conservative treatment options for a cervical herniated disc include-
*Physical therapy and exercise- Exercises can be used to help reduce the pain in the arm. In the initial period a physical therapist may also opt to use modalities such as heat/ice or ultrasound, to help reduce muscle spasm.
*Cervical traction- Traction on the head can help reduce pressure over the nerve root.
*Chiropractic manipulation.
*Osteopathic medicine.
*Activity modification- Avoid activities like heavy lifting (over 50 pounds), activities that can cause increased vibration and compression to the cervical spine (boating, snowmobile riding, running, etc.), and overhead activities that require prolonged neck extension and/or rotation.
*Bracing. In some instances a cervical collar or brace may be recommended to help provide some rest for the cervical spine.
*Injections. Epidural steroid injections or selective nerve root blocks can be helpful to reduce inflammation in cases of severe pain.

3 Surgical interventions may be recommended When these conservative measures fail and your symptoms are severe and increases.
Hope this will helps you. Take care.
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MRI Of Cervical Spine Showed C6-7 As Large Left Paracentral Disc Herniation Effecting Spinal Cord, With Canal Stenosis And Osteophyte Formation. Explain

Thanks for writing to us. C6-7 disc herniation means the disc material has shifted back words and pressing on the nerve which is coming out of the spinal cord and going into the arm. This usually cause pain and tingling in the arm. Canal stenosis means there is compromised space for the neural structures due to the disc herniation and osteophyte (bony spur from the vertebral end plates). Thanks.