MRI question on report
 

MRI from (7/20/2011) c2-3 mild hypertophic right facet arthrosis right neural foraminal narrowing encroachment exiting c3 nerve, mild facet arhtrosis at c3-4 mild right neural foraminal narrowing, mild fa at c4-6, mild left osteophyte ridge indents thecal sac no effect on cord, slight posterior budlge minimaly indents thecal sac c6-7-t1 exerts no mass on cord.

Question: How is it possible to have facet arthrosis and osteophytes occur in areas where I am already fused? :confused: And why do they say mild when I am symptomatic. I realize they take these MRI's laying down...

Cheryl i have had an MRI state no arthritis when i was full of it on both weight bearing surfaces on my hip. My doc and my spine surgeon both looked at it and said you do not need a hip replacement. Yet my hip was giving out on me and very painful. so my doc decided to do a scope on my hip and found the cartilage to be gone on both weight bearing surfaces and told me i would need a hip replacement. so i got one!!! So i do not trust MRI's at all for me.
judy

I would think that most of the pathology at the fused level would have developed before it was fused???

Note that different radiologists will interpret differently. Also, you eluded to the fact that the standard MRI is a static image generated in a neutral position.

It is not uncommon that the pain syndrome doesn't match what shows on the imaging. That's why the good docs don't 'operate on the films'.

Mark

very well stated
 

So the reality may be that your condition is slightly worse than seen?