osteophyte formation

[maggie786]

Hello,
My mother has alot of pain in her left arm and the doctors diagnosed this
"Degenerative changes noted in Cervical Spine interior Osteophyte formation noted from C5 to C7. There is a mild decreased in body heights of C5 to C6 along with disk space narrowing at C5 to C6 and C6 to C7 level.

what does this mean? Should this be a major concern? what are the treatment options available for this i mean medication wise the doctors prescribed like 5 different medications?

Thank You

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Presence of osteophytes (spurs) and narrowing of foraminae are indication of degenerative disorder of spine. Cervical spine disorders such as spondylosis and myelopathy are often related to osteophyte formation. Osteophytes in your neck leads to nerve irritation leading to mild to severe pain in related area supplied by those nerve coming from that area of spinal cord and difficulty in breathing or eating may also be possible.  I would advice a multidisciplinary approach involving orthopedician (as basic treating doctor), neurologist and surgeon consultation (upon referral of your treating doctor) for your problem. A multi-disciplinary approach includes: Immobilization using a collar or braces; Physical therapy and manipulation (chiropractic) can also be useful in decreasing muscle spasms that can contribute to your pain symptoms. Medications include painkillers like NSAIDs, and muscle relaxants. Surgical Treatment (of removing bony spurs/osteophytes or removal of intervertebral disc) comes into picture when treatment by non-surgical procedures fails. Hope this helps.

[Kalvin]

It just means that she’s developed a lot of arthritis in her C-spine. Degenerative changes refer to changes over time as opposed to trauma. The mild decrease in vertebral body height is something that happens to people as they age as well as the disc space narrowing. Spinal discs lose water and shrink as we age, which causes disc space narrowing. One of her bone spurs (arthritis) is probably compressing a nerve, that’s what’s causing her arm pain.

There’s a need for some concern, but there’s no need to panic. What’s important is that she follows her Doctors recommendations. I’m assuming she will be going to Physical Therapy soon? It’s usually the first course of action for something like this. P.T. can be very beneficial in cases like this, exercises that strengthen neck muscles and stretch the neck and shoulders can really help and improve flexibility and strength. Among those 5 medications might be some anti-inflammatory medications and maybe a course of steroids, these will help too.


Take Care