MRI Cervical/ Upper Thoracic Spine

[argartae]

I need to know if these findings would support why I have pain in right scapula and neck area with muscle spasms and swelling.  

Findings of MRI:

At C5/6, there is a mild 1.5mm Foraminal disc protusion.  This does not significantly narrow the neural foramen.

On the Sagittal sequences, there is minimal disc bulge at the T2/3 level, but there is no compromise to the central canal or neural foramen.  The remaining visualised thoracic discs are intact.

Please can any one help?????

[argartae]

Thank you for your your answer,  physio has not helped, it only relieves the pain for a short time.  I am guessing that it is is pressing on the right nerve?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
To some extent yes, the MRI findings may be responsible for the pain in neck and scapula area. If the disc protrusion is responsible for your symptoms, then physiotherapy aimed at correcting it, neck and upper back exercises and spinal manipulation should help bring pain relief.
The other possibility is Scalene Myofascial Pain Syndrome. When scalene muscle is the cause of pain, the pain is referred from neck to (either all or a combination of) chest, inner lining of scapula (shoulder bone), shoulder, posterior and lateral sides of the arm right up to the thumb and index finger. Treatment is by physiotherapy that involves indentifying the trigger points, and massaging them, and other exercises to relieve the muscle tension.

Please consult your doctor/chiropractor/physiotherapist 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.