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What Do My MRI Scan Test Results Indicate?
Question: Hi, I am a 44 year old female with a history of SLE and Severe lupus related arthritis. I just got mri results for my cervical spine. I had a C5-C6 bone graft fusion, spinal decompression and discectomy 12 years ago and now my mri shows, rupture disc at C4-C5 with mild stenosis and moderate to severe foramina stenosis and moderate osteophyte. It also shows rupture at C6-C7 with moderate spinal stenosis and severe foramina stenosis to the right and left.also stated I have moderate flattening of spinal cord on both levels. and mild hyper intensity with in the spinal cord itself...My question, what kind of surgery will i be looking at with all these levels being so messed up? And...Is there anything to do to avoid surgery at all?
Brief Answer:
Physical therapy ( traction ) could be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
In my opinion, it is difficult to treat your condition without surgery.
However, clinical correlation between imaging findings and your symptoms together with neurological findings is needed to treat you correctly.
In other words, if moderate to severe symptoms and significant neurological examination findings that indicate serious stenosis and compression, you need to be operated.
If mild to moderate symptoms, physical therapy ( cervical traction ) is an alternative to surgery.
If this fails to improve your symptoms surgery is inevitable.
In my opinion, in your case, best surgical alternative is anterior discectomy and fusion at C6-C7, but I could be more of help if you could upload cervical MRI pictures as well.
As an alternative posterior laminectomy C4 through C7 with or without stabilization (depending on cervical spine stability assessed by dynamic x-rays).
Hope you found the answer helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further clarifications.
Take care.
Physical therapy ( traction ) could be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
In my opinion, it is difficult to treat your condition without surgery.
However, clinical correlation between imaging findings and your symptoms together with neurological findings is needed to treat you correctly.
In other words, if moderate to severe symptoms and significant neurological examination findings that indicate serious stenosis and compression, you need to be operated.
If mild to moderate symptoms, physical therapy ( cervical traction ) is an alternative to surgery.
If this fails to improve your symptoms surgery is inevitable.
In my opinion, in your case, best surgical alternative is anterior discectomy and fusion at C6-C7, but I could be more of help if you could upload cervical MRI pictures as well.
As an alternative posterior laminectomy C4 through C7 with or without stabilization (depending on cervical spine stability assessed by dynamic x-rays).
Hope you found the answer helpful.
I remain at your disposal for further clarifications.
Take care.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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