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

[raghupvri]

sir,
please go through my posting recently i made on Cerebral Palsy community using my name "raghupvri". If you have any ideas  or suggestions i would suggest to my family to go with or visit your facility personally.

thanks & appreciate for any help.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you very much for your questions. 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.