My c-spine acting up again... (discography results)

[Gil Denis]

Hi Mark
Wow nice MRI I have seen worse and so have you. I may want to join you?
I am doing a little better Skiing and working races,also a little construction work part time light duty.
I wish your pain to relive and hold on for now
Take care
Best Wishes
Talk Soon
Gil Denis

[Maria]

Sorry to hear you've more pain more of the time Mark tho at least it seems that perhaps there's a definitive timeline to do what when.

I'd love to go w/and see your surgery! Could I stand much time in the OR ~ no. Could I be propped on some kind of slant board for the spinally impaired but still very interested in viewing incredible spine surgeries~ sure!

At this point I think I'm pedally impaired as well..good days and bad days, just like the ol' back.

Thanks for sharing your films and cluing us in to what the changes are...very interesting tho sorry you're your own patient.

[fuzzy]

Mark, that looks similar to my C spine. And Yes, I have been thinking about this summer...

[Justin]

Jeez Mark. That's one heck of an MRI. Did you get the dictated report yet?

Maybe, Dr. B can work on us the same day?!?!

Good luck as you contemplate your surgical options.

[Kanutta]

Oh, Im sorry that your c-spine is acting up so bad, but it's probably time to look in to surgery now then, as you say yourself. It seems the time has come.
I spent 5 years in agony until I no longer could bear it, and went for the surgery.
I guess you go through the same fear and same pondering back and forth like all of us despite all your knowledge in this field.

As a fellow "neck person" I know how excruciating neck pain can be, maybe Norspan patches could help you a bit now...?

It's a low dose Buprenorphin, I have used it on and off for two years.
It seems it doesn't cause much physical addiction compared with other opioids, and it's real popular among PM docs here in Norway now.

[fortitudine]

I may join you too, Mark!

[mmglobal]

Got my MRI results yesterday. I was focused on the thoracic herniation because I'm in a new HMO and felt I needed documentation in order to get the oral steroids and thoracic MRI without having to wait for referrals to specialists. The original report did not even mention the herniation circled above! I had to push through a bunch of nonsense at the imaging center, but finally got an amended report. I went to the walk in clinic last night because I could not get in to see my doctor. I was not looking forward to trying to get the walk-in doctor to order things that should be refered to a specialist. I got a nice HMO surprise when my new GP walked in and said, "Hey, I'm not on tonight, but I saw you are here and thought you might want to see me." Nice guy!

I started predinsone dose-pack last night. New findings on MRI show:

T1-T2 disc extrusion visualized on sagittal sequences, extends cephalad 8.5mm x 3.5mm in a/p dimension. Transverse dimension cannot be calculated because of lack of axial images.

C3-4: moderate R uncovertebral joint hypertrophy (3.5mm in a/p dimension) resulting in moderate to severe R foraminal stenosis.

C4-5: mild bilateral uncovertebral joint hypertrophy and mile R facet arthopathy resulting in mild R foraminal stenosis.

C5-6: approx 65% disc space narrowing. 2mm disc bulge. 4mm L uncovertebral joint osteophyte resulting in severe L foraminal stenosis. 3mm R uncovertebral joint osteophyte resulting in moderate R foraminal stenosis. Residual a/p canal diameter 7.5mm w/mild central stenosis.

C6-7: approx 50% disc space narrowing. Mild bilateral uncovertebral joint hypertrophy resulting in moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis.

Bummer.