Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I have been going to the hospital every month for steroid injections in my lumbar.And Tuesday they had me go in for results from my MRI on my neck. I have something that I do just not understand... He said that I have congenital stenosis (C-3 through C-6) & ( C-3 C- 4)right foraman has mild narrowing on a degenerative basis secondary to uncinate hypertropy. And then he said the one that is worse(C-5- 6) is moderate encroachment of the right nerual foramen (8mm) " There is acquired on congenital stenosis of the central spinal canal with there being moderately sever central spinal canal stenosis C-3-4 through C6-7 most at C5-6 " Ok what on earth is going on??... all he said to me is there are to many levels to do surgery and that I will have to stay on pain meds and shots until it is so bad someone might be willing to do the surgery. I am so confused and when I asked what " on too many levels " meant he just repeated it and acted like I was nuts. I know I am 35 but it is not stopping me from being scared. Could someone please explain? Sorry I have not been here. I have been well.. I started college and its been a ride.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Hi Marjorie, It sounds like your doc doesn't explain things in plain English! Maybe I can help a little. Congenital stenosis means you were born with a narrowed canal where the spinal cord runs which could result in pressure on the spinal cord. Uncinate hypertrophy means you have some overgrowth of bone in that area which can cause pain depending on how bad it is and if if is pressing on nerves or other structures. The nerves to the arms run through the foramen. My suggestion would be to do a Google search on the terms or just " cervical spine " to become more knowlegeable on the anatomy of your neck. I just did one and there are good sites out there for patient education. I just had a C6-7 cervial fusion. Believe me it's no fun. My doc said they don't do fusions until it is absolutely necessary. Once one level is done it increases the chance of adjacent levels needing surgery. If I were in your position I would get another opinion though. You have a lot of issues for someone so young. Good luck and God Bless, CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Marjorie, I would research other Drs in my area as well as research the terms. I had a multi level cervical fusion in February but went to 5 different Drs before I found one who I was comfortable with and who was comfortable with my questions. I am either surgically or genetically fused from C2 all the way to C-7 and while Drs do not like to do many levels because it does cause stress to the unfused joints, it sounds like you need to find a specialist that can deal with your spine. Best of luck, Debra Marjorie <butter3031@...> wrote: I have been going to the hospital every month for steroid injections in my lumbar.And Tuesday they had me go in for results from my MRI on my neck. I have something that I do just not understand... He said that I have congenital stenosis (C-3 through C-6) & ( C-3 C- 4)right foraman has mild narrowing on a degenerative basis secondary to uncinate hypertropy. And then he said the one that is worse(C-5- 6) is moderate encroachment of the right nerual foramen (8mm) " There is acquired on congenital stenosis of the central spinal canal with there being moderately sever central spinal canal stenosis C-3-4 through C6-7 most at C5-6 " Ok what on earth is going on??... all he said to me is there are to many levels to do surgery and that I will have to stay on pain meds and shots until it is so bad someone might be willing to do the surgery. I am so confused and when I asked what " on too many levels " meant he just repeated it and acted like I was nuts. I know I am 35 but it is not stopping me from being scared. Could someone please explain? Sorry I have not been here. I have been well.. I started college and its been a ride.. TTFN- Deb --------------------------------- Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 I would also add that once you have a fusion, my surgeon told me you have a 40% chance of another disc either below or above the fusion to slip within 5 years.. I just passed my 5 years thank God:-) Tonja -- Re: Confused: Hi Marjorie, It sounds like your doc doesn't explain things in plain English! Maybe I can help a little. Congenital stenosis means you were born with a narrowed canal where the spinal cord runs which could result in pressure on the spinal cord. Uncinate hypertrophy means you have some overgrowth of bone in that area which can cause pain depending on how bad it is and if if is pressing on nerves or other structures. The nerves to the arms run through the foramen. My suggestion would be to do a Google search on the terms or just " cervical spine " to become more knowlegeable on the anatomy of your neck. I just did one and there are good sites out there for patient education. I just had a C6-7 cervial fusion. Believe me it's no fun. My doc said they don't do fusions until it is absolutely necessary. Once one level is done it increases the chance of adjacent levels needing surgery. If I were in your position I would get another opinion though. You have a lot of issues for someone so young. Good luck and God Bless, CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 hi, whatever your doctor says, it sounds like he was just reading from the mri report and not saying much of anything. i would strongly urge you to get other opinnions until you are comfortable with what is going on, that you understand it and that you understand your options. this guy sounds like a real jerk and if it was me, i would not go b ack to him but would start looking for other doctors in my area who are spine specialists. maybe if you tell everyone on this site your city and state, soneone might be able to suggest a doctor. good luck with everything. marsha In a message dated 9/14/2006 12:53:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, butter3031@... writes: I have been going to the hospital every month for steroid injections in my lumbar.And Tuesday they had me go in for results from my MRI on my neck. I have something that I do just not understand..on He said that I have congenital stenosis (C-3 through C-6) & ( C-3 C- 4)right foraman has mild narrowing on a degenerative basis secondary to uncinate hypertropy. And then he said the one that is worse(C-5- 6) is moderate encroachment of the right nerual foramen (8mm) " There is acquired on congenital stenosis of the central spinal canal with there being moderately sever central spinal canal stenosis C-3-4 through C6-7 most at C5-6 " Ok what on earth is going on??... all he said to me is there are to many levels to do surgery and that I will have to stay on pain meds and shots until it is so bad someone might be willing to do the surgery. I am so confused and when I asked what " on too many levels " meant he just repeated it and acted like I was nuts. I know I am 35 but it is not stopping me from being scared. Could someone please explain? Sorry I have not been here. I have been well.. I started college and its been a ride.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 " Too many levels " means that there are problems at 5 of the cervical vertebrae, not just one or two. there is acquired on congenital stenosis of the central spinal canal That is, The spinal canel is narrowed throughout, which could create pain because of pressure on the spine [and/or nerves?]. > moderate encroachment of the right nerual foramen means the space > where the nerve runs out ofthe spine is too narrow because of the > herniated disk, which causes pain and other problems. On Sep 17, 2006, at 3:26 PM, BLEECKERST10012@... wrote: > > hi, whatever your doctor says, it sounds like he was just reading > from the > mri report and not saying much of anything. i would strongly urge > you to get > other opinnions until you are comfortable with what is going on, > that you > understand it and that you understand your options. this guy sounds > like a real > jerk and if it was me, i would not go b ack to him but would start > looking > for other doctors in my area who are spine specialists. maybe if > you tell > everyone on this site your city and state, soneone might be able to > suggest a > doctor. good luck with everything. marsha > > > > > > In a message dated 9/14/2006 12:53:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, > butter3031@... writes: > > I have been going to the hospital every month for steroid injections > in my lumbar.And Tuesday they had me go in for results from my MRI > on my neck. I have something that I do just not understand..on > > He said that I have congenital stenosis (C-3 through C-6) & ( C-3 C- > 4)right foraman has mild narrowing on a degenerative basis secondary > to uncinate hypertropy. And then he said the one that is worse(C-5- > 6) is moderate encroachment of the right nerual foramen (8mm) > > " There is acquired on congenital stenosis of the central spinal > canal with there being moderately sever central spinal canal > stenosis C-3-4 through C6-7 most at C5-6 " > Ok what on earth is going on??... all he said to me is there are > to many levels to do surgery and that I will have to stay on pain > meds and shots until it is so bad someone might be willing to do the > surgery. > > I am so confused and when I asked what " on too many levels " meant > he just repeated it and acted like I was nuts. > > I know I am 35 but it is not stopping me from being scared. Could > someone please explain? > Sorry I have not been here. I have been well.. I started college > and its been a ride.. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Well, he had me crying because my medical ins. told him I could not have my meds unless he filled out a PA form and he said he did not have time to bother. That if I want my meds to pay for them.. 170 bucks is just too much. I told my husband about what happened and how he read the MRI but would not tell me what it means, he said the same as you. Go to someone else. I am still not sure what to do but I guess the best place to start would be the spine center if he will refer me. I am in Oklahoma City, thank you so much for everyones answers. I just wish it was easier to get second opinions. Marjorie butter > > > hi, whatever your doctor says, it sounds like he was just reading from the > mri report and not saying much of anything. i would strongly urge you to get > other opinnions until you are comfortable with what is going on, that you > understand it and that you understand your options. this guy sounds like a real > jerk and if it was me, i would not go b ack to him but would start looking > for other doctors in my area who are spine specialists. maybe if you tell > everyone on this site your city and state, soneone might be able to suggest a > doctor. good luck with everything. marsha > > > > > > In a message dated 9/14/2006 12:53:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, > butter3031@... writes: > > > > > I have been going to the hospital every month for steroid injections > in my lumbar.And Tuesday they had me go in for results from my MRI > on my neck. I have something that I do just not understand..on > > He said that I have congenital stenosis (C-3 through C-6) & ( C-3 C- > 4)right foraman has mild narrowing on a degenerative basis secondary > to uncinate hypertropy. And then he said the one that is worse(C- 5- > 6) is moderate encroachment of the right nerual foramen (8mm) > > " There is acquired on congenital stenosis of the central spinal > canal with there being moderately sever central spinal canal > stenosis C-3-4 through C6-7 most at C5-6 " > Ok what on earth is going on??... all he said to me is there are > to many levels to do surgery and that I will have to stay on pain > meds and shots until it is so bad someone might be willing to do the > surgery. > > I am so confused and when I asked what " on too many levels " meant > he just repeated it and acted like I was nuts. > > I know I am 35 but it is not stopping me from being scared. Could > someone please explain? > Sorry I have not been here. I have been well.. I started college > and its been a ride.. > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Thank you I did not know what that ment at all. And I still do not understand why they say it can not be fixed. But at least I know what it means now. Once again..thank you. > > > > > hi, whatever your doctor says, it sounds like he was just reading > > from the > > mri report and not saying much of anything. i would strongly urge > > you to get > > other opinnions until you are comfortable with what is going on, > > that you > > understand it and that you understand your options. this guy sounds > > like a real > > jerk and if it was me, i would not go b ack to him but would start > > looking > > for other doctors in my area who are spine specialists. maybe if > > you tell > > everyone on this site your city and state, soneone might be able to > > suggest a > > doctor. good luck with everything. marsha > > > > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 9/14/2006 12:53:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, > > butter3031@... writes: > > > > I have been going to the hospital every month for steroid injections > > in my lumbar.And Tuesday they had me go in for results from my MRI > > on my neck. I have something that I do just not understand..on > > > > He said that I have congenital stenosis (C-3 through C-6) & ( C- 3 C- > > 4)right foraman has mild narrowing on a degenerative basis secondary > > to uncinate hypertropy. And then he said the one that is worse(C- 5- > > 6) is moderate encroachment of the right nerual foramen (8mm) > > > > " There is acquired on congenital stenosis of the central spinal > > canal with there being moderately sever central spinal canal > > stenosis C-3-4 through C6-7 most at C5-6 " > > Ok what on earth is going on??... all he said to me is there are > > to many levels to do surgery and that I will have to stay on pain > > meds and shots until it is so bad someone might be willing to do the > > surgery. > > > > I am so confused and when I asked what " on too many levels " meant > > he just repeated it and acted like I was nuts. > > > > I know I am 35 but it is not stopping me from being scared. Could > > someone please explain? > > Sorry I have not been here. I have been well.. I started college > > and its been a ride.. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 If you were referred to this DINGBAT, be sure to tell the doctor who referred you what a caring individual you got sent to... sheesh! 170 bucks is ridiculous, your doctor is getting paid plenty to fill out a stupid form. This guy should get reported to the state medical board, that's inexcusable. If he's got 170 bucks to spare, great -- maybe he should pay for your meds, then. <growl> On 9/19/06, Marjorie <butter3031@...> wrote: > > Well, he had me crying because my medical ins. told him I could not > have my meds unless he filled out a PA form and he said he did not > have time to bother. That if I want my meds to pay for them.. 170 > bucks is just too much. I told my husband about what happened and > how he read the MRI but would not tell me what it means, he said the > same as you. Go to someone else. I am still not sure what to do but > I guess the best place to start would be the spine center if he will > refer me. I am in Oklahoma City, thank you so much for everyones > answers. I just wish it was easier to get second opinions. > Marjorie > butter > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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