Hello and welcome to HCM,
The problem that you are facing pertains to the
cervical spine.
The
cervical vertebrae are seven in number and these vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs.
These discs act as
shock absorbers and allow frictionless movement of the vertebrae.
There is protrusion of the intervertebral disc between 5th and 6th vertebrae.
The protrusion of the disc can compress the
nerve roots emanating from the
spinal canal.
This can cause pain in the region supplied by the particular nerves.
The management of this problem is conservatively initially.
If the symptoms do no disappear after conservative measures, surgical methods may be required.
Shrinkage of brain substance can be due to vascular insufficiency, age related changes etc.
Trauma to the brain substance can also cause shrinkage of the brain parenchyma.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal