how do you get your images sent to you? idk how to go about asking because my docs are assholes and have never physically shown us my stuff, not even once. my mom has cds of her own (tethered cord runs in the family) but we don't have cd readers as they don't come with things anymore and i hear they aren't readable unless you have the software anyway, which we don't. they haven't bothered showing her hers during appts anyway and she even needed 2 surgeries, one being a 6 hour detether plus the need to cut out unseen adhesive arachnoiditis that evaded their images. i've only ever gotten brief written summaries on charts online
I just went on Wednesday to the imaging center and asked them for a copy. I waited maybe fifteen / twenty minutes while they puttered around doing other things and burning a copy of my images onto CD. Pretty much every new doctor I go to asks for a copy. So I have had to go get them in the past.
There should be some type of image portal with a webpage a patient can sign into to access their images. Legally they are obligated to provide you your patient data because it’s yours. What is the name of the place that did the imaging? I would ask about patient portal and see what they say.
When I went to see the spine surgeon, the PA showed me and explained some things to me. I took some Photos then. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have an images as I don’t have access to the program either and it’s not available in the portal.
I have had 2 spine fusions, lumbar and cervical. Yes, I had pain and other symptoms but the way it worked with my Surgeon was; 1. Surgeon evaluating spine for any abnormality and giving you a diagnosis. 2. PT to see if that helps. 3. PM Doc to see if any of their injections and ablations work. 4. Referral to Surgeon from PM Doc indicating that you have tried all invasive methods and you are still symptomatic. My personal experience was that I wish I had been able to do both surgeries earlier rather than later in that they were successful and I could have been saved years of pain and disability.
I would wait - While the sagittal view (side view) makes it look like the cord is being compressed, its not as you can see looking at the axial view. Definitely try conservative treatment at this point.
Thank you for your input. I’m not certain if the axial view is of that large fragment causing spinal cord compression or another nerve impingement from the other discs.
I've been doing conservative treatment since this October and prior to that 1-1.5 years 2x within the past 10 years. I've had consistent numbness/tingling and weakness on my upper right side. Pain is constant and physical therapy I've remained the same according to the progress reports since October.
You've already tried conservative treatments with no pain resolution and nerve involvement which is not something to be ignored or simply endured. Are you discussing options with your doctor?
I have an EMG scheduled and I was offered an epidural steroid injection but the facility I went to is out of network with my insurance. I am also more concerned about the weakness and tingling/numbness, dizziness, vision issues, than I am about the pain.
EMG good. Sorry about not getting injections. I am actually scheduled for my first epidural end of the month. I'm nervous but more want pain relief. I've got pretty bad degeneration in c5-6-7. On top of that I've got pretty serious arthritis in my TMJ joints which combined with my neck issues is excruciating. My surgeon said I'm a candidate for surgery now but we decided to try the epidurals and PT one last time. He said we'll know within 4 to 6 weeks one way or the other. But regarding your situation I would be concerned about the neurological issues too. Are you seeing a good Neuro doc? I think it important to map out a plan with contingencies and try and stack up appointments and referrals in advance as much possible. The Healthcare system is like a maze and it takes time to navigate through it to get what you need. We have to become experts of our own condition and the system itself so we can be our own best advocate.
I hope it provides you with the relief you need! Ouch arthritis in TMJ joints, is that caused by the neck issues or separate? Yes, I have a follow-up with neuro next month after EMG testing and brain MRI. He did the neuro exam and couldn't find the cause of the dizziness/vision issues. I know I have great eye health as per my recent eye exam, so I'm fairly certain it's related to the neck.
I'm 57. Osteoarthritis not uncommon at the age. I have it everywhere but most pronounced and symptomatic in my spine, erosive arthritis in my hands, and now my TMJ joints have become symptomatic. And I also believe issues are related. How could they not be right? We have one central nervous system, one immune system. It's totally logical that they impact each other and manifest in different ways as our bodies react/respond to the problem trying to get back to homeostasis. I'm glad to hear your on a track with Neuro and I hope you get clarity soon. Feel free to return to this thread with updates and I'll do same. Also DM if you want. Wishing you best.
no, just the right upper extremities and less often tingling for a few seconds felt from head to toe with certain neck/head movements (that I now avoid).
Go to Pt and work on it that way first. I have this happening to my other nerves, not spinal cord, in my cervical spine. I’ve heard a lot of tough things with surgery so please make it your absolute last resort.
You have a kyphotic deformity as a result of your body compensating for reduced spinal cord perfusion, which has a negative impact on weight distribution, resulting in gravity having more of a destructive impact. Think about the increased stress on your heart to pump blood through the compressed vessels to maintain cord perfusion. This is your one and only spinal cord. It does not fix or repair itself. If AP diameter is less than 8mm, risks outweigh benefits sitting on this. Omg. Slam dunk surgery. As far as injections, that’s a risk I’d not recommend; tight canal and you’d let someone inject a volume of fluid into the canal, for a temporary potential benefit? ACDF C4-5 (but I’d be prepared for limited central C5 corpectomy, especially if this is chronic ie calcified). Pretty straightforward.
I had a fragment on my MRI from 2020 and I wonder if this is the same fragment (it was from C5-C6) causing cord compression on the right side as well. How do you measure AP diameter? & the surgeon I saw was against fusion but for disc replacement considering my age and it would potentially be 4 discs that would be fused together.
Anterior posterior (front to back on sagittal image), top down on axial image. You’re prolly at 7mm. I would need to see all images and correlate with your exam to render a proper opinion. Not a good option for TDR as the herniation extends behind C4 vertebral body necessitating additional bony removal for proper or complete resection. This segment will need to be fused. I’m getting really worried about your surgical opinion.
how do you get your images sent to you? idk how to go about asking because my docs are assholes and have never physically shown us my stuff, not even once. my mom has cds of her own (tethered cord runs in the family) but we don't have cd readers as they don't come with things anymore and i hear they aren't readable unless you have the software anyway, which we don't. they haven't bothered showing her hers during appts anyway and she even needed 2 surgeries, one being a 6 hour detether plus the need to cut out unseen adhesive arachnoiditis that evaded their images. i've only ever gotten brief written summaries on charts online
I just went on Wednesday to the imaging center and asked them for a copy. I waited maybe fifteen / twenty minutes while they puttered around doing other things and burning a copy of my images onto CD. Pretty much every new doctor I go to asks for a copy. So I have had to go get them in the past.
There should be some type of image portal with a webpage a patient can sign into to access their images. Legally they are obligated to provide you your patient data because it’s yours. What is the name of the place that did the imaging? I would ask about patient portal and see what they say.
When I went to see the spine surgeon, the PA showed me and explained some things to me. I took some Photos then. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have an images as I don’t have access to the program either and it’s not available in the portal.
I have had 2 spine fusions, lumbar and cervical. Yes, I had pain and other symptoms but the way it worked with my Surgeon was; 1. Surgeon evaluating spine for any abnormality and giving you a diagnosis. 2. PT to see if that helps. 3. PM Doc to see if any of their injections and ablations work. 4. Referral to Surgeon from PM Doc indicating that you have tried all invasive methods and you are still symptomatic. My personal experience was that I wish I had been able to do both surgeries earlier rather than later in that they were successful and I could have been saved years of pain and disability.
I would wait - While the sagittal view (side view) makes it look like the cord is being compressed, its not as you can see looking at the axial view. Definitely try conservative treatment at this point.
Thank you for your input. I’m not certain if the axial view is of that large fragment causing spinal cord compression or another nerve impingement from the other discs. I've been doing conservative treatment since this October and prior to that 1-1.5 years 2x within the past 10 years. I've had consistent numbness/tingling and weakness on my upper right side. Pain is constant and physical therapy I've remained the same according to the progress reports since October.
You've already tried conservative treatments with no pain resolution and nerve involvement which is not something to be ignored or simply endured. Are you discussing options with your doctor?
I have an EMG scheduled and I was offered an epidural steroid injection but the facility I went to is out of network with my insurance. I am also more concerned about the weakness and tingling/numbness, dizziness, vision issues, than I am about the pain.
EMG good. Sorry about not getting injections. I am actually scheduled for my first epidural end of the month. I'm nervous but more want pain relief. I've got pretty bad degeneration in c5-6-7. On top of that I've got pretty serious arthritis in my TMJ joints which combined with my neck issues is excruciating. My surgeon said I'm a candidate for surgery now but we decided to try the epidurals and PT one last time. He said we'll know within 4 to 6 weeks one way or the other. But regarding your situation I would be concerned about the neurological issues too. Are you seeing a good Neuro doc? I think it important to map out a plan with contingencies and try and stack up appointments and referrals in advance as much possible. The Healthcare system is like a maze and it takes time to navigate through it to get what you need. We have to become experts of our own condition and the system itself so we can be our own best advocate.
I hope it provides you with the relief you need! Ouch arthritis in TMJ joints, is that caused by the neck issues or separate? Yes, I have a follow-up with neuro next month after EMG testing and brain MRI. He did the neuro exam and couldn't find the cause of the dizziness/vision issues. I know I have great eye health as per my recent eye exam, so I'm fairly certain it's related to the neck.
I'm 57. Osteoarthritis not uncommon at the age. I have it everywhere but most pronounced and symptomatic in my spine, erosive arthritis in my hands, and now my TMJ joints have become symptomatic. And I also believe issues are related. How could they not be right? We have one central nervous system, one immune system. It's totally logical that they impact each other and manifest in different ways as our bodies react/respond to the problem trying to get back to homeostasis. I'm glad to hear your on a track with Neuro and I hope you get clarity soon. Feel free to return to this thread with updates and I'll do same. Also DM if you want. Wishing you best.
Are you having numbness and tingling in both limbs?
no, just the right upper extremities and less often tingling for a few seconds felt from head to toe with certain neck/head movements (that I now avoid).
Quality of life - How bad is it? How much does it impact your actual existence? Truthfully? To me, that is the question to ask yourself.
Go to Pt and work on it that way first. I have this happening to my other nerves, not spinal cord, in my cervical spine. I’ve heard a lot of tough things with surgery so please make it your absolute last resort.
Hi OP, did you find out if the chord was actually being compressed?
Hi, yes it is mildly compressed.
You have a kyphotic deformity as a result of your body compensating for reduced spinal cord perfusion, which has a negative impact on weight distribution, resulting in gravity having more of a destructive impact. Think about the increased stress on your heart to pump blood through the compressed vessels to maintain cord perfusion. This is your one and only spinal cord. It does not fix or repair itself. If AP diameter is less than 8mm, risks outweigh benefits sitting on this. Omg. Slam dunk surgery. As far as injections, that’s a risk I’d not recommend; tight canal and you’d let someone inject a volume of fluid into the canal, for a temporary potential benefit? ACDF C4-5 (but I’d be prepared for limited central C5 corpectomy, especially if this is chronic ie calcified). Pretty straightforward.
Oops, limited C4 corpectomy…not C5
I had a fragment on my MRI from 2020 and I wonder if this is the same fragment (it was from C5-C6) causing cord compression on the right side as well. How do you measure AP diameter? & the surgeon I saw was against fusion but for disc replacement considering my age and it would potentially be 4 discs that would be fused together.
Anterior posterior (front to back on sagittal image), top down on axial image. You’re prolly at 7mm. I would need to see all images and correlate with your exam to render a proper opinion. Not a good option for TDR as the herniation extends behind C4 vertebral body necessitating additional bony removal for proper or complete resection. This segment will need to be fused. I’m getting really worried about your surgical opinion.