Cervical MRI Results

[JohnR231]

When I was 12 years old I was hit by a truck (Ford F250) while crossing a crosswalk on my bicycle.  I thought I was fine at the time but problems ensued.  When I was 16 I went for tests (X-rays/MRI's) and the doctor told me I had 2 bulging discs and a slipped disc and the only option was surgery.  I elected not to go through with it at such a young age.  I am currently 29 and have been dealing with immense pain in both my left and right sides of my neck as well as the pain radiating up to my head and down to the bottom of my inner shoulder blades.  I went for another X-Ray and MRI and just got the report back.  These are the findings.

Findings:  Spinal cord normal in caliber and signal.  Minimal straightening normal cervical lordosis.  Verebral body heights, disc spacesm and marrow signal within normal limits.

C2/3: No disk bulge or herniation.  No central canal or foraminal stenosis.

C3/4: Minimal disk bulge with left unconvertebral hypertrophy.  Minimal left-sided foraminal stenosis.  Effacement of ventracl thecal sac.  No significant central canal or right foraminal stenosis.

C4/5:  Minimal disc bulge with effacement ventral thecal sac.  No central canal stenosis.  Minimal left foraminal stenosis.  No right foraminal stenosis.

C5/6:  Mild disk bulge with mild central canal stenosis.  No significant foraminal stenosis.

C6/7: Mild diffuse disk bulge without central canal or foraminal stenosis.

C7/T1: No disk bulge or herniation.  No central canal or forarminal stenosis.

The doctor reccomended cortison shots but i am allergic to cortocosteriods.  What other options do I have and will this ever heal right without surgery?

Thanks in advance,

John R.

[JohnR231]

In the past 10 years i have done phsyical therapy, a chiropractor, and always... ALWAYS get a deep tissue massage atleast once (sometimes twice) a month.  These have always helped with my range of motion but not the pain itself.  When I was younger my PCP put me on anti-inflammatory medication as well as a pain medication called Darvon which did help when I took both at the same time however a few years ago Darvon was taken off the market due to it causing heart problems, which incidently, after the accident, doctor's found a pin-sized hole in my heart which seems to have repaired itself since found.  After it was taken off the market, my PCP never substitued it with anything different.  As a result I was just taking the anti-inflammatories which had little to no effect what-so-ever.  I am going to another Orthopedic doctor for a second opinion on October 1, 2013, so hopefully they can do something to alleviate these neck problems of mine.
Thank you for your input Dr. Kokil Mathur.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi John!

Well, you can try many things, if you are allergic to cortisone shots. You have diffuse disc bulges at several levels in the neck along with mild canal narrowing at one place. You should respond to physiotherapy, chiropractor, neck exercises, maybe manual traction, non steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications. Please consult your doctor regarding this. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.