“Explanation of MRI results?”
What does this mean? The existence of reduced disc space, especially at the C4-C5 level with a small protrusion of the disc, as well as at the C6-C7 level, which distorts the arachnoid space, is noteworthy. Images compatible with discrete medial disc protrusions.
Female | 55 years old
2 Answers
What does this mean? One answer is "nothing."
There is no widely used, standard nomenclature for describing disc disease. I hear people say they have, "one bulging disc, one wide disc, one degenerated disc, and one herniated disc." None of these terms have specific meanings. Their use widely overlaps. They may mean the same thing. One person may describe the same disc as 'herniated' one day, and 'bulging' another. One could argue, that these words are used interchangeably. The word choice is not important. The location of the disease is the issue.
What this means is that you have an abnormal disc at a certain level. This does not necessarily mean that the disc is the problem. Most adults in the United States have bulging discs. Most bulging discs Do not cause symptoms. So just because a disc is abnormal, does not mean it needs to be fixed. It also does not mean that the disc is causing your current problem.
Presumably, you went to a doctor with a specific problem. Perhaps it was pain, decreased grip strength in one hand. Whatever. Presumably, the doctor who ordered the scan has examined you. They will know from the location of your pain, exam of your sensory and motor nerves, as well as reflexes, where the problem lies. They order the scan to see if the problem is due to disc, bone, tumor, or some other abnormality.
So the MRI is not the diagnosis. It is not stand-alone information. It is one piece of data that your doctor will use in conjunction with your symptoms, physical exam, and history, to determine where the problem lies, and hopefully how to fix it. Trying to determine what an MRI means, without a physical exam, complaints, and history would be responsible.
Talk to the doctor who ordered the scan.
There is no widely used, standard nomenclature for describing disc disease. I hear people say they have, "one bulging disc, one wide disc, one degenerated disc, and one herniated disc." None of these terms have specific meanings. Their use widely overlaps. They may mean the same thing. One person may describe the same disc as 'herniated' one day, and 'bulging' another. One could argue, that these words are used interchangeably. The word choice is not important. The location of the disease is the issue.
What this means is that you have an abnormal disc at a certain level. This does not necessarily mean that the disc is the problem. Most adults in the United States have bulging discs. Most bulging discs Do not cause symptoms. So just because a disc is abnormal, does not mean it needs to be fixed. It also does not mean that the disc is causing your current problem.
Presumably, you went to a doctor with a specific problem. Perhaps it was pain, decreased grip strength in one hand. Whatever. Presumably, the doctor who ordered the scan has examined you. They will know from the location of your pain, exam of your sensory and motor nerves, as well as reflexes, where the problem lies. They order the scan to see if the problem is due to disc, bone, tumor, or some other abnormality.
So the MRI is not the diagnosis. It is not stand-alone information. It is one piece of data that your doctor will use in conjunction with your symptoms, physical exam, and history, to determine where the problem lies, and hopefully how to fix it. Trying to determine what an MRI means, without a physical exam, complaints, and history would be responsible.
Talk to the doctor who ordered the scan.
There are 7 cervical spines (neck spine) in normal people. Your report: The area between neck spine numbers 4 and 5 is reduced with the disc (cushion between spine) push out of position. The report also said that the radiologist also noted the change in thearea between the neck spine 6 and 7.
