What does this all mean ........extra info to previous letter
Hi
I have found my MRI scan results and wondered if you could ellaberate on some of the points.
Some straightening of the normal cerical lordosis
Degenerative discal changes and osteophyte formation of moderate severity seen at c5-c6.
The lower neck is particularly vulnerable after a whiplash type injury. If a ligament called the PLL is stretched or torn it allows a change in the posture of the neck: straightening of the lordosis.
What simultaneously frequently happens is loss of movement (in chiropractic jargon a "fixation" or subluxation. This loss of movement results in "immobilisation arthritis": osteophyte formation. Because the disc is also in part hyaline cartilage, dependent on movement for its normal nutrition, that fixation also results in degeneration of the cartilage: Degenerative discal changes. Slight encroachment on the exit foramina of the c6 roots bilaterally slightly more so on the left than the right. (please explain)
The nerve roots escape from the spinal canal via a "foramen". Those osteophytes mentioned above can encroach the foramen and threaten the nerve. It's a not uncommon finding after a neck injury. The net result is tingling and sometimes pain in the arms. This is due to degenerative disk bulging and osteophyte formation. (why has this happenend)
sometimes from the injury itself, but more usually as a result of the immobilisation the disc cartilage slowly degenerates. There is a focal right sided disc prolapse at the c6-7 level which is effacing the right c7 root to the exit foramen.
Over and above the narrowing of the foramen due to the osteophytes, you also have a bulging disc that is encroaching the nerve that supplies the middle finger. Now that you have more details of my problem is there still a possibility that i can be helped through the work of a chiropractor.
It's a problem we deal with every day, Alison. It probably won't be easy though and you will have to be patient and work with your chiropractor. I personally think that cervical traction (a home unit) also helps in conjunction with chiropractic, though the research suggests there is no benefit.
I have enquired at one place near my home town, but am wondering if i can be helped as my physio did say that there was nothing else he could do for me.
I would give it 4-6 weeks before submitting to surgery. Good luck! Let us know in a month or so how your are doing. Take all your scans with you. And this letter. Thanks Alison