MRI opinions please

[bell]

Thank you Judy for replying. From the reading I've been doing here my problems are very minor to what so many are dealing with. I am new to this and trying to learn and really appreciate your response. I have seen conflicting information as far as the herniation. Originally thought with time they resolved but the little info from the dr. after MRI he said you will always have this, we can treat and calm it down but from time to time it will flare up and give problems. I am also curious if the disc that is currently only a bulge are likely to also herniate and would that risk increase if surgery is performed on the current herniation. I guess that answer isn't black or white depending on individual factors. I haven't had a recent injury that I can pin this on. My neck has given me problems for years but this is the first time it involved arm pain and finger numbness. Don't want to ramble, thanks again.

[Maria]

The C6/C7 does sound like it's problematic and other levels might be too but that's a good size bulge you got going on there so if you're symptomatic and symptoms coincide with area involved it would make sense.

Good luc with a consult that will address your issues. Make sure you get a good explanation of that report that satifies you and what your options might be surgical or non surgical.

[mmglobal]

That is a huge herniation for the c-spine that will likely require intervention. However, I've seen many cases that have resolved without surgery. I think this is a good example:

Cervical Burst Fracture - 1 year - no surgery SUCCESS!

Another story linked below... the thread is about a lumbar case, but I posted some cervical films for another client too:

"Back" into life without surgery!

Good luck... please keep us posted.

Mark

[hamrs_62]

looks like the fracture will never heal, and over time will re-surface,,,

[mmglobal]

You'd be shocked. I don't have updated images for this case because you don't do imaging when there are no problems. But, surgeons have shown me pictures of horrible looking fractures, in which the bone has fused in a disfugured kind or configuration. Then, the bone that protudes inappropriately disappears, and the voids that shouldn't be there fill in. Bone grows where it is needed and is resorbed where it is not. I'm not suggesting that anything can heal and get back to normal, but the body does truly amazing things.

Mark