Neck Pain: Cervical
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July 2, 2011 - 8:45pm
I'm a degenerate !! (OK Degenerative) Many Pictures to view!
So this is the little MRI that started is all .... June 2006
The interpretation was: MRI CERVICAL SPINE
FINDINGS:
Normal brainstem cervical cord junction. Normal Cisterna Magna with no tonsilar ectopia Normal clivus with a normal craniovertebral junction. Normal anterior atlantoaxial articulation.
Normal alignment of the cervical vertebral bodies with no ligamentous instability, marrow edema or compression abnormalities.
C2-3: Normal intervetebral discs with no spondylosis or uncovertebral joint arthrosis. Normal central canal and intervetebral neural foramina at the corresponding levels, with no cord or radicular impingement.
C3-4: There is disc desiccation without of loss of disc height. There is endplate spondylosis and a central disk/osteophyte complex that measures 2 X 3mm (AP X transverse) but this does not contact or deform the cord, Normal central canal and intervertebral neural foramina.
C4-5 There is disc desiccation with minimal loss of disk height and mild endplate spondylosis. There is a 2 mm posterior osteophytic ridge without focal protrusion. There is moderate left uncinate arthrosis, with mild narrowing of the foramen without compression of the exiting nerve root. The central canal remains patient. There is mild intervertebral neural foraminal narrowing
C5-6 There is disc desiccation with near complete loss of the disc and advanced end plate spondylosis. There is a 2 mm posterior osteophytic ridge and there is a left pre-foraminal disc/osteophyte complex that measures 3 X 5 (AP X Transverse) extending into the left neural foramen with narrowing of the foramen and likely impingement of the exiting left C6 nerve root. The central canal remains patient. Patient right intervertebral neural foramen.
C6-7 There is disc desiccation with loss of disc space height and end plate spondylosis.
There is a 2 mm posterior osteophytic ridge and there is bilateral facet and uncinate arthrosis with narrowing of both intervertebral neural foramina, impinging on the exciting bilateral C7 nerve roots. The central canal remains patent.
C7-T1: Normal intervertebral discs with no spondylosis or uncovertebral joint arthrosis. Normal central canal and intervertebral neural foramina at the corresponding levels, with no cord or radicular impingement.
Which led to this simple 2 level ACDF - Only problem was a non-union and the cadavear implants (black squares) did not maintain the space and impacted down into the vertabrea ... also is caused a ostophyte growth on the anterior (front of the plate so that when ever I would swallow ... the entire construct would go banging into my spinal cord.
Ok ... so finally we redo the whole "shabang" Anterior Posterior remove two vertabrae (corpectomy and posterior rods) now three level (my own hip bone this time)
Hurray Fusion at 6 weeks post July 2009
And then we have now September 2010 "Pinch Stenosis" at C3
And just for the fun of it herniations at L2 L3 L4 lotsa
loss of disc space - desication.
Well I guess I just hit the lumbar lotto
Ugly picture - ugly report - lotsa pain
HISTORY: Herniation of lumbar intervertebral disc with radiculopathy.
Low back pain, sciatica, difficulty walking.
COMPARISON: MRI lumbar spine 11/22/2010.
TECHNIQUE: Sagittal and axial T1, T2; sagittal T2 fat saturation
sequences.
FINDINGS: Again noted is a congenitally slender AP diameter of the
lumbar spinal canal especially at the L3 and L4 levels. There appears
to be a slight increase in degenerative retrolisthesis of L3 on L4 with
associated new endplate irregularities most prominent along the inferior
aspect of L3. No other definite subluxation. No evidence for an
infiltrative process in the bone marrow. There is nonspecific
straightening of the lumbar spine. Visualized vertebral body heights
are well-maintained. Again seen is moderate-severe degenerative disc
space narrowing at L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 with low T2 signal disc
desiccation at L2-L3 and L3-L4
No abnormal signal in the visualized distal spinal cord/conus. The tip
of the conus appears to be at the T12 level based on sagittal images.
Based on sagittal images, no significant disc herniation or central
stenosis at T11-T12. At T12-L1 and L1-L2, no disc herniation or spinal
stenosis.
L2-L3: Mild posterior disc osteophyte complex without focal disc
herniation or spinal stenosis.
L3-L4: Slight degenerative retrolisthesis at this level appears slightly
increased. Degenerative disc space narrowing also appears worse. Facet
degenerative changes with ligamentum flavum thickening. There is
moderate central stenosis. There is a new superimposed left foraminal
disc herniation extending above the disc space resulting in left
foraminal stenosis requiring clinical correlation for left L3 radicular
symptoms. The right neural foramen is narrowed.
L4-L5: Degenerative disc space narrowing at this level appears worse.
There are facet degenerative changes with ligamentum flavum thickening
and mild disc bulging. Seen best on T1 images is persistent left
paramedian disc extrusion into the left L5 lateral recess region also
appearing to indent the adjacent thecal sac requiring clinical
correlation for left L5 radicular symptoms. There is mild-moderate
central stenosis especially involving the subarticular recesses. There
also appears to be a left foraminal-far lateral disc protrusion. There
is left greater than right foraminal narrowing-stenosis.
L5-S1: No disc herniation or central stenosis. Mild facet degenerative
changes. There is probably not significant foraminal stenosis.
IMPRESSION: Worsening degenerative changes discussed above at L3-L4 and
to a lesser degree L4-L5. Followup as clinically warranted.
I know how to party !!
d
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Just looking at your MRIs send pain through my body! I'm glad to see that the posterior approach allowed fusion to occur. My biggest fear is that the level above my fusion is not perfect and is probably going to require surgery in the future.
My lumbar area has been bothering me recently and I'm due for an MRI next week. Not looking forward to the results, but I'd like to know what I'm dealing with! My neck issues came as a shock to me, so I want to be in the know with my lumbar and hopefully avoid surgery with conservative therapy. Are you on pain meds for your lumbar issues?
August 2010-January 2011: MRI - C5/6: kyphosis, osteophytes, severe foraminal/spinal stenosis; PT, acupuncture, chiropractor, massage therapy, steroid injections, facet nerve blocks with no relief
February 11, 2011: ACDF at C5-C6
July, 2011: MRI - Mild herniated discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1 and bulge at L3/L4; short leg syndrome
Wow...... That's so messed up but cool to look at. Your a real Frankenstein .so what are they gonna do about the new neck issue.?
L4-5 flexicore artificial discs . Continued nerve pain in leg and spasms.
Can they do a lami to free up the uper level on the neck without further having to fuse any more levels? I dont think you can even worry about doing anything with the lower back untill they can fix the neck issue that started it all.
This is what sucks having surgery when all the stress from either fusion on the neck or the back creates other discs to go out. I think only people that dont have issues after fusion with other levels are who hapen to be lucky enough to have very healthy spine over all.
If you have the slightest spine issue that you are not even aware of yet other then the level that went out that dr can see and looking to fix. Soon as that fusion takes place you will realise what other levels were border line cause now you feel pain from places you never have before. This is the reason spine surgery is never good unless they seriously doing it to keep the spine from colapsing in some cases.
Good luck dave on them fixing the neck freeing up the nerve and hopefuly you can work out the back issue without opening a whole new can of worms with surgery. I would even try home traction for the back just to see if i could get the disc to back off the nerve just enough to posibly help manage the pain and avoid the surgery with that.
L4 L5 disc replacement in 2004=causing nerve damage'Flexicore disc. 2006 fusion same level leaving adr in. Fusion did nothing to releive the nerve pain.Pain clinic=every injection procedure avalable inc,razadamy, ablation, nerve stimulater trial,morphine pump trial all failed. Pain can be described as burning pain in lower spine penetrating in to left buttock,down left leg. Refuse to take lyrica or nuorontin do to its side effect,Leaving me with norco,valume,and flexiril at night.Which these medications only help with the muscle aches and stiffnes does nothing for the nerve pain from the nerve damage sustained from the adr surgery.Coming up nov.19th 2009 Lami, and hardware removal from fusion,for hardware just causing more pain in other areas.Hardware block comfirmed hardware is also causing pain in diferent area aside from the severe nerve pain on left side.Emg showed some posible problem above surgery are at L3 L4.
Hehehe It looks cool!!! (ok more like painful) But still cool.................
24 years old. Started having neck and shoulder pain around age 18.
ACDF C4-C5 June 23rd, 2011.
Wow, for your lumbar, that L3 (L2-L3, right?) sure looks ugly.....looking at those even makes ME hurt!
Here's hoping for relief for you!
Charlie
You want me to go "on the rack" and Michelle thinks I look like "Frankenstein". Quick hide me !! The villagers with the torches are after me !!!!
Laughing through the pain !! (haw haw)
d
I could of used some plywood scews on ya and cut some 2x2. To place in your neck that would of looked beter then what dr,s did on ya.
L4 L5 disc replacement in 2004=causing nerve damage'Flexicore disc. 2006 fusion same level leaving adr in. Fusion did nothing to releive the nerve pain.Pain clinic=every injection procedure avalable inc,razadamy, ablation, nerve stimulater trial,morphine pump trial all failed. Pain can be described as burning pain in lower spine penetrating in to left buttock,down left leg. Refuse to take lyrica or nuorontin do to its side effect,Leaving me with norco,valume,and flexiril at night.Which these medications only help with the muscle aches and stiffnes does nothing for the nerve pain from the nerve damage sustained from the adr surgery.Coming up nov.19th 2009 Lami, and hardware removal from fusion,for hardware just causing more pain in other areas.Hardware block comfirmed hardware is also causing pain in diferent area aside from the severe nerve pain on left side.Emg showed some posible problem above surgery are at L3 L4.
Now you hurt my numb nerves!!
So the jokes on you - I couldn't feel it !!!
Given the choice of numbness or pain ..... I choose
Nirvana.
Peace Bro!
d
Mine is almost identical to what your neck looks like! It does look cool but it doesn't feel so cool. I feel for you big time and I hope they can help you out. I'm fused at 3 and down to T1. If you can avoid it, don't do it!! lol.
Numb .... According to our beloved deratome maps that nerve is supplied by L4 - Which just so happens to be where the worse herniation in my lumbar spine is. (see last picture).
Its so fun to be able to at least diagnose my problems without a doctor ... Now if I could only do surgey on myself!! Any body got a sharp and clean butter knife??
Good Morning fellow pain fighters!!
d
Holy Moly I thought Dr Frankenstien retired long ago.
It looks like from the get go they could have done something much less invasive like some endoscopic procedures. They say fusion is the gold standard, it sure was for your surgeons.
I have several friends who have failed fusions. Too bad the North America doesn't have the high quality orthopedic care they have in the rest of the world. They really botched Peyton Manning's surgery too.
I'm in good company. I think his disability coverage is just a "little" better than mine though!!
Still screwed,glued and ... waiting for the tatoo!!
Regards to all spineys - High Low and middle to go !!!
Dave
(and they had the gall to deny my Fentynl!!) They reccomended I go back on Methadone (puts me on the moon) or up my MsContin to over 200 mg per day .... since when did insurance companies get M.D. licenses??
Their new version of minimally invasive is .... take the cheapest pain med possible .... and stop calling again/ ever!!
Our version of PTSD = Post Tramatic Surgery Disorder!
Take the gold!! .... forget the standard!!
D
I have a few questions. If you have neck pain where does it typically start? along the upper mid or lower neck. If have neck pain when it gets worse does it radiate down the arm (shoulder, arm, and/or forearm?) best
I am here in a professional capacity representing SI-BONE. I am a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. However, any information, opinions or other content provided by me on Spine-health.com forums is for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical diagnoses or treatment. Always consult with a physician for any health problem or medical condition.
Neck pain begin mid neck and proceeds downward into both shoulders. Left Sterncletomastoid is atrophied.
Recent MRI of the C-Spine with contrast show a fissue at C3.
I do still have parathesia in my left hand ... pinkie, ring, and middle fingers and top of hand ... pain in forearem and occasionally elbow and tricep.
There are times I wake up with both thumbs completely "out".
The worst feeling is like someone is pulling my entire arm out of its socket at the shoulder.
R.O.M. is about 5% in any direction (up - down - Left - Right) I have had my drivers license pulled for medical reasons. (lack or sufficient R.O.M.)
Love D.O.'s - worked with one for over 5 years as an E.M.T. Medic+ in the early 80's.
Concerned about the "pinch stenosis at C3" thought the posterior aspect was a hypertrophied Ligitum flavium but at this point I don't really know .... I have an appointment with a Neurosurgeon on Feb 21st.
Thank you for your concern!
d
My scorching letter to my insurance got them to approve my Fentynl Patch again ..... thank goodness releif at last .... 180mg MSContin a day + percocet for breakthrough wasn't cutting the pain.
The combo of Fentynl and Oxycodone has done wonders for my pain level(s).
Regards to all spineys - where ever you are!!
D
glad to hear that they are letting you have the pain meds that actually help your pain.
I've just looked at your initial MRI with my hubby.
Doesn't look very different from mine, except you appear to have high signal at C5 level. Was it high signal or some spinal fluid there? It appears to have gone after surgery.
My neurosurgeon has just suggested a 2 level ACDF of C3/4 and C4/5 for me. He has commented that my lordosis has gone at those levels, with one vertebra slightly forward, and said that it may cause further problems after surgery. I think that is why he said that he may need to do further surgery from the back with screws and rods after. He said it is best to do anterior surgery first and see how that helps. He also said that the degenerated levels below may get adjacent disc disease and need fusing later.
Wow! Seeing your pictures really makes me worry what lies in my future.
Have you got any relief from your surgeries?
What symptoms are you left with now?
Has your fusion held you as you were once you were recovered, or are you still getting worse?
So many questions from me, but reading your story and seeing your pictures, does make me wonder.
At the moment, I am coping fairly well with the pain and managing to just use over the counter pain meds, although sometimes need to layer them to help. The surgeon is concerned about cord compression and what would happen if I had a fall as there is no spinal fluid to cushion the cord, which he said is being pinched.
Dave, you have really won my respect, seeing all you have gone through. I just hope that I won't follow you.
Grade 2 spondylolisthesis causing severe stenosis + DDD
L4/L5 decompression (laminectomy) and PLIF 19th March 2010
Herniations at T12/L1, T9/T10 and T8/T9 (mildly indenting cord)
Significant cervical spondylosis from C3-C7
C3/C4 and C4/C5 are compressing the cord (mild to moderate)
Been referred to a neurologist to rule out MS
Off to the doctor today ... I need to be back on pain meds like yesterday!!!
OUCHY !!!
d
I think most of us here need to hide from the villagers! Especially if they could see all the hardware inside us. lol
All the insurance co's think they have licenses, and if it's not cheaper, they're not interested. We have had many interactions.
I've also come to know my insurance company billing department on a first name basis. While thay want to diagnose, it seems they've "forgotten" how to process claims in a timely manner. Why do we have to b!tch so much to get care the doc's already ordered?(pet peeve)
Whatever your future may hold, I hope for the best for you,
Dee
5/10/2010 fall from ladder, multi trauma, including fx at C3,4,5 - T5 - L3,4,5 with central cord syndrome.
ACDF45 5/12/2010 & multiple other ortho surgeries
By the grace of some higher power (and my doc of over 20 years) ... I woke this morning with an 80%+ reduction in my back .. tush ... leg pain.
Neck ... about the same.
I believe it was the additional steriods that my doc rx'd earlier this week and some additional pain med and valium.
I hope it lasts and I don't need to start the multiple ESI's again (or other worse dooky).
Hoping everyone has a pain reduced weekend, and maybe even some springtime fun.
Concern and regards for all,
D
full picture - - literally ! You male Spiney's have such clear, big boney spines, cords, and spacing and it sure does depict your degeneration process with the bold badge of hardware, Spiney Warrior !
Dave, wow to have 4 levels having serious issues and a botched (?) first surgery. And to have it all unfold as it did and now C-3, hoping that level doesn't bring you into another rock and hard-spot, with surgery decisions. You just dont deserve it, prayers.
We are similar in that I had C-4 thru C-6 3 levels and no serious issues with C3-4 requiring surgery at the time of ACDF C-4-6. However, its my miracle levels C-2/3 3/4 congenital hemi-vertebrae malformed bone/tissue not much discs and tethered on left with severe scoliosis that started the whole journey since birth (really symptomatic in 30's)
You had so much of your C-Spine go south and so wish you could have had the surgeons your spine needed and deserved.
I did not have C-6/7 go severe degen until 12 yrs later (successful fusion of bone implant no hardware ACDF)
I am now in a low prognosis serious risk to not resolve but do more harm for surgery. Live with now becomes my best choice. I feel like we're both ending up at the same train station, Dave, but you suffer with so much pain -- I do not, at least when I am not recovery from mva's rear ends/broadsides/rearsides - - all with same minivan repaired to good as new and unfortunately the worst of it, my spine and body does not get fixed.
Hey, keeping you in heart-thoughts/prayers with your assessment of C-3/4, just a few days now ?
Oh, and we are honored to have such a fine courageous Spiney Warrior Man here on this forum supporting and guiding through his own experience, strength and courage !
Joydancer = Dance of Life, Love in My Heart and Spirit in My Soul !
C2/3 hemi-vertebrae scoliosis; C3/4/5/6 ACDF 1995; C6/7 T-1/2 severe DDD multiple bone spurs; Surgeon Assessments resulting in Living With vs. Major Complex Surgery; two procedures ant/post 8 levels of hardware C-Spine T-Spine bridge with High Risk Low Prognosis; Neuropathy in boh arms/hands; left severe multiple nerve damage and muscle atrophy; MVA Right Arm/Hand/Fingers Neuro-Muscular D
degeneration
Lumbar RFA's L-4/5 L-2/3 Moderate - Advanced Disc Bulges
~ Trusting Choice of No Surgery; Living One Day at a Time in best I can in faith, love and yes, finding joy..."I Am More Than My Body" Moments ~
there Dave that is such good news! Enojoy the weekend, and I agree "Spring Time Fun" sound like a
great plan.
Hugs
Susie
Susie
acdf c4-c7 5/10
ddd L4-L5 10/08
so when are you planning your next surgery? Just kidding! Those were really cool pictures. I have three levels done as well and am having problems in my lumbar spine. I'm glad that the pain meds are helping you out,it sucks being in pain. Are you planning on seeing your neurosurgeon or are you going to try and wait out the pain and see if it subsides?
c4,5 c5,6 and c6,7 ACDF with titanium implants spinal stenosis and bone spurs april 16/08.herniations at T7,8 and T11,12 also L4,5and S1.car accident october 28th/08 whiplash.rearended hit and run. mri 2009 L2-3 posterior bulge,L3-4moderate posterior bulge,lateralizing to the right.Right lateral recess has moderate stenosis and left lateral recess has mild stenosis.L4-5has moderate posterior disc bulge.Moderate left,and right stenosis.Mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.L5-S1 disc bulge touching right S1 descending nerve root in right lateral recess.No significant foraminal or spinal stenosis.