I am a 46 year old female suffering from chronic long term neck and back pain. When I was 26 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and DDD. All 3 of my children have also been diagnosed with the same at young ages. My son was only 18, my daughters were 24 and 26 when they got their diagnosis. My daughters at the ages of 26 and 28 have a more aggressive form of DDD. The youngest is looking at surgery now due to an auto accident a few months back. 2 years ago after many many years of suffering from severe pain and headaches I had a bone fusion done on C4-C5, within a year due to the plate that was implanted it has caused the disc above and the disc below to have the same issues. I have already done injections after injections and PT after PT. I have an appointment on the 17th of this month to see another surgeon and I don't want to go into his office without all the advice and info I can get on the pros and cons of you diagnosis, so I'm hoping you can answer some for me. Here are the results of my MRI scans of both my T spine and L spine.
Lumbar findings : Mild degenerative changes are appreciated with straightening with lumbar spine and multiple narrow desiccated disc space as well as anterior osteophytes maximally seen at the scanned lower lumbar levels.
At L3-L4, a small left lateral subligamentous soft disc herniation of protrusion type is seen effacing the anterior epidural fat with resulting in left ventrolateral thecal indentation as well as significant left sided exiting foraminal narrowing
At L4-L5 and L5-S1, diffuse annular disc bulges are seen effacing the anterior epidural fat and resulting in ventral thecal flattening as well as mild bilateral exiting foraminal narrowing . Additionally, there is bilateral ligamentum flavum thickening and facet joint hypertrophy seen at those disc levels resulting in mild central canal stenosis .
IMPRESSION:
1. Mild chronic degenerative changes are appreciated .
2. L3-L4 , a small left lateral subligamentous soft disc herniation of protrusion type is seen with significant left sided exiting foraminal narrowing.
3. L4-L5 and L5-S1, diffuse annular disc bulges with mild bilateral exiting foraminal narrowing and mild central canal stenosis .
4. No fracture or misalignment
Thoracic findings:
Mild degenerative changes are appreciated with mild desiccation of disc spaces seen at the mid thoracic disc levels.
At T10-T11 a small central focal annular disc bulge is appreciated that has effaced the anterior CSF and resulting in mild central ventral cord indentation . Normal exit of foramina is seen. The spinal canal displays no significant stenosis.
IMPRESSION : 1. Mild degenerative changes are appreciated with mild desiccation of the disc spaces at the mid thoracic disc levels.
2. At T10-t11, there is a small central focal annular disc bulge.
3. No fracture or misalignment .
Any advice or in sight you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
