Can someone explain my MRI results to me regarding my C spine and L spine?
Mild facet dengenerative changes in the mid cervical spine are asymmetric to the right. C5-6 disk bulging with a broad based right foraminal disk protrusion. There is a mid covering spur. Moderate right formainal stenosis results with right C6 nerve root encroachment. C6-7 There is similar broad based right foraminal disk protrusion with mild covering spur. Moderate right foraminal stenosis and right C7 nerve root encroachment result. Impression Two level degenerative disk disease in the cervical spine with moderate sized disk osteophyte complexes in the right foramen at C5-6 and C6-7. Left paracentral disk protrusion at T2-3. Five lumbar type vertebral bodies are assumed. Small Schmorl’s nodes are present at the T11-12, T12-L1, and L1-2 levels. Sagittal images demonstrate mild diskal desiccation at T12-L1 but no significant disk bulging. There is a mild bilateral facet hypertrophy and ligamentum flavum thickening. Impression Mild lumbar spondylosis as described with mild bilateral facet hypertrophy at L4-5 and L5-S1. I haven’t been injured so what could have caused this and what does it mean? Thank you for your help!
Confused, first I must state that all of that which you have written may amount to absolutely nothing. Some of the disc changes might have been present since birth and there is no way to tell this without having a scan done years ago. The report also talks about encroachment of the nerve roots. This simply means that on the scan there is pressure that is being exerted on the root, place where the nerve exits the spine, but that doesn’t mean that it is causing a problem. For you to truly tell if you are having a problem it must match up with your complaints and if you really want to know if it is a problem get an EMG. What you do have is degenerative changes and they are being expressed in medical terms that simply mean you have an arthritic condition in your neck and lower back. According to the report you should be having problems in the biceps and triceps along with some other muscles in the forearm and thumb on the right. A Schmorl’s node is where the disc has pushed material upward or downward into the vertebral body as opposed to pushing against the disc walls. So overall what the report states is that you have arthritis of the neck, upper back, a drying out of a disc at T-12-L-1 which is possible to have been there for years, arthritis of the lower back and the possibility of some pressure on the nerves in the neck and lower back. Stenosis is a word that means narrowing, so there is narrowing present in the neck. Thickening of the ligaments means that the discs in that area have lost height and have caused the ligament to buckle. The body doesn’t like this so it adds material to the ligament thickening it and making it less effective. Hope this helps!
June 22 2010 07:56 am | plaque in the cervical spine image
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Confused, first I must state that all of that which you have written may amount to absolutely nothing. Some of the disc changes might have been present since birth and there is no way to tell this without having a scan done years ago. The report also talks about encroachment of the nerve roots. This simply means that on the scan there is pressure that is being exerted on the root, place where the nerve exits the spine, but that doesn’t mean that it is causing a problem. For you to truly tell if you are having a problem it must match up with your complaints and if you really want to know if it is a problem get an EMG. What you do have is degenerative changes and they are being expressed in medical terms that simply mean you have an arthritic condition in your neck and lower back. According to the report you should be having problems in the biceps and triceps along with some other muscles in the forearm and thumb on the right. A Schmorl’s node is where the disc has pushed material upward or downward into the vertebral body as opposed to pushing against the disc walls. So overall what the report states is that you have arthritis of the neck, upper back, a drying out of a disc at T-12-L-1 which is possible to have been there for years, arthritis of the lower back and the possibility of some pressure on the nerves in the neck and lower back. Stenosis is a word that means narrowing, so there is narrowing present in the neck. Thickening of the ligaments means that the discs in that area have lost height and have caused the ligament to buckle. The body doesn’t like this so it adds material to the ligament thickening it and making it less effective. Hope this helps!
References :
physical therapist