Neck Pain MRI results what do they mean

[Laurie327]

I have been experiencing neck shoulder arm pain as well as pain in my thumb and hand. I am experiencing weakness in my right hand as well as pain in the front of my throat and in my chest on the right side. I have pain in my neck and in my middle back at the shoulder blade level. This pain is inside of me as in it feels like the bone its self hurts and as if someone is stabbing me. I am in constant pain and have not slept for years I sleep for 3 or 4 hours and wake up to myself moaning and come out to the couch and put my heating pad on and I go in and out of sleep until usually at 5 a.m. I just bag it and get up. It feels like the entire right side of my body is hurting all the time.

After my MRI I was seen by a Spinal doctor who informed me my only option was to have the disc fused. There has to be other options I am 47 years old and fusing does not look like a good option to me. He also said that I could get a spinal injection with cordazone and something but that it would only give me temporary relief.

I am concerned about my options and what all this MRI is telling me.      
I went in for a second MRI in March this was the results.

C2-3 There is a congenital bony fusion at this segment. There is no spinal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing
C3-4 There is disc desiccation with a broad-based posterior disc protrusion. This broad-based posterior disc protrusion occurs midline and to the left of midline. There is no central spinal stenosis. Bilateral uncovertebral arthrosis is present without neural foraminal stenosis. There has been no change in this broad-based posterior disc protrusion at the C3-C4 level compared to the previous examination.
C4-5 Slight posterior disc bulging is present at this position. There is no focal disc protrusion. There is no spinal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing. There has been no change at this level since the earlier examination.
C5-6 There is marked disc height loss with disc desiccation
there is a broad-based posterior disc protrusion in the left lateral recess and extending into the left C6 neural foramina. This disc protrusion has associated osteophyte formation and creates mild acquired central spinal stenosis and severe left lateral recess narrowing. The bony uncovertebral arthrosis creates severe right C6 neural foraminal narrowing. When compared to the reference examination there has been progression of the bulging of the disc and osteophyte formation with worsening of the left lateral recess and neural foraminal stenosis.
C6-7 There is disc height loss and disc desiccation. Broad posterior disc bulging with associated posterior projecting osteophyte is present. This posterior disc bulging and osteophyte formation creates moderate acquired central spinal stenosis. Mild bilateral uncovertebral arthrosis
is present and creates mild bilateral C7 bony neural foraminal stenosis. This neural foraminal narrowing is unchanged from the previous examination with marked improvement in the right lateral recess stenosis since the earlier exam.
C7-T1 Normal
&1-2 There is a small left paracentral disc protrusion. This disc protrusion creates mild left lateral recess narrowing at the T1-2 level. This disc protrusion is unchanged from the refrence exam. The remainder of the upper thoracic spine is unremarkable.

Impression:
1. Progression of disc degenerative disease at the C5-C6 level with a moderate sized broad based left lateral recess and foraminal disc protrusion now with increasing size to associated osteophytes and severe left C6 neural foraminal stenosis.
2. Moderate central spinal stenosis persists at the C6-C7 level, however, there is improvement in the right lateral recess narrowing due to involution of the right lateral recess herniated necleus puoposis since the previous study of April 2007    

[OMRPriyantha]

For this sort of surgery who is the most suitable surgeon
1. Neuro surgeon
2. Orthopedic surgeon

[kittyluv1]

Welcome to the Back and Neck Community. Members are  here to provide assistance and support to individuals experiencing symptoms related to possible abnormal conditions of the spine. Advice given is non-professional and is primarily based on personal experiences

I am sorry to hear of your continued and prolonged discomfort. Having endured your pain for such a lengthy time must be very frustrating.
Based on your MRI report, you do have significant findings of degenerative disc disease, particularly at C5-C6.  The intervertebral disc (cushion between the vertebral bones of your spine) has dessicated (dried out) and has caused the loss of  height between your two vertebrae.  The disc material has protruded out of its protective covering and is causing narrowing of the spinal canal (area through which the spinal cord travels) and neural foraminal narrowing (area through which the spinal nerve roots travel). These degenerative changes have increased since your previous MRI.
Your symptoms can be directly related to the findings on the MRI.  As long as the nerve roots are compressed, there is resulting pain (in your neck, shoulder blade and arm).
The longer the nerves are compressed, the greater the risk of permanent damage that can not be repaired even with surgical intervention.
While a fusion procedure does seem quite frightening, I can attest that the results (in my case) were excellent.  All of my preop pain was gone within 3hrs of the surgery and my recovery progresses daily.  I am now 5wks postop anterior cervical discectomy and fusion from C4-C7 and would do the surgery again without a doubt.
This is a very personal decision and should not be made lightly.  You do need to consider the current pain you are experiencing and the effects and limitations on your lifestyle it has caused versus the potential of serious damage that may not be repaired if you postpone surgery.  Fusion at one level C5-C6 would not produce significant restriction of movement in your neck and the absence of pain may be a big consideration.  
You could try an epidural first, with the cortisone and anesthetic agents, but it is only a temporary fix and your degenerative disc disease will probably continue to progress.
If you have specific questions regarding the fusion procedure, I would be happy to try and assist you further.
Best wishes ----