Help Understanding MRI

[bigcountry8404]

     EXAM: MRI of the Thoracic Spine dated 5/1/13
    
    COMPARISON: Plain film radiographs of the thoracic spine dated 4/2/13
    
    TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multi-sequence MRI images of the thoracic spine were
    performed without contrast administration.
    
    FINDINGS: The thoracic vertebral body heights, alignment and signal intensity
    are normal.  The intervertebral disk spaces appear well maintained.  There is no
    evidence of neuroforaminal widening or masses.  The thoracic cord is of normal
    size and signal intensity.
    
    Specific findings at the thoracic intervertebral disk space levels in axial
    plane are as follows:
    
    T1-2 through T4-5: Normal
    
    T5-6: There is a left paracentral disk osteophyte complex which effaces the
    anterior thecal sac and touches the cord.  There is ample CSF noted posterior to
    the cord.
    
    T6-7: There is a left paracentral disk osteophyte complex which effaces the left
    anterolateral aspect of the thecal sac and touches the cord.  There is ample CSF
    noted posterior to the cord.
    
    T7-8: There is a central/right paracentral disk osteophyte complex which effaces
    the central and right anterolateral aspect of the thecal sac.  There is ample
    CSF noted posterior to the cord.
    
    T7-8 through T10-11: Normal
    
    T11-12: There is a broad-based disk osteophyte complex which effaces the
    anterior thecal sac and touches the cord.  There is also mild facet hypertrophy.
     This with coupled with the broad-based disk osteophyte complex causes a mild
    central canal stenosis.  There is only a 2 mm of CSF noted posterior to the
    cord.
    
    IMPRESSION: 1.  Mild central canal stenosis at the T11-12 interspace caused by a
    broad-based disk osteophyte complex and mild facet hypertrophy. 2.  Small disk
    osteophyte complexes at the T5-6, T6-7 and T7-8 levels which efface the anterior
    thecal sac and touches the cord.  However, there is ample CSF surrounding the
    remainder of the cord.
    
    

[bigsissie]

I am just going to read the impression as the rest is rather long and I am not that great at all the lingo. In the T11-12 you have a narrowing on the space around your spinal cord caused by a large bone spur and an enlarged facet joint (the joint between the vertebrae that connects them) This is what is more than likely causing your pain. The T5- T7 levels also have a bone spurs pressing on the spinal cord but they are not causing any problems yet (not stopping the flow of spinal cord fluid.

The good news is that there are vitamins that you can take to help dissolve the spurs! Vitamins D, calcium and magnesium. In short a good multivitamin that your body can absorb will start to do the trick. Your dr may even prescribe one for you or have another suggestion. I try to go with natural solutions when I can. Thank you for your service. Best wishes, Sissie

[bigcountry8404]

Im a 25 year old male in the navy