Question 1

i need help understanding my mri. c7-t1: 3 mm posterior central disc protrusion contacts the ventral spinal cord without significant deformity.

Accepted Answer

Disc bulge : This means you have a bulging disc that is protruding enough to contact you spinal cord but not enough to deform the spinal cord. These findings do not really explain your leg pain with walking.

Question 2

c5-c6: disc desiccation with mod space height loss present. central disc protrusion indenting thecal sac contacting the ventral margin of the spinal cord resulting in spinal stenosis. 
mild left neuroforaminal stenosis present. can you break it down?

Accepted Answer

: You show disc deterioration in the mid-neck, and disc is narrowing spinal canal diameter, threatening the spinal cord itself.  Suggest you find a neurosurgical consultation.  This may or may not be a "surgical case" at this point, but your consultant can advise you better, as will need to examine you and correlate clinical with radiological findings.  Good luck.

Question 3

had an mri of my cervical spine done. results says mild disc bulge that abuts the right ventral surface of the thecal sac. does this mean i have spinal cord compression ?

Accepted Answer

: Your description of the MRI depicts a minor disc abnormality which does not compress the spinal cord or emerging nerve roots, and indeed would be quite unlikely to cause any profound symptoms or signs.  Certainly, not a need for surgery or injections based upon your report.

Question 4

are small disc protrusion which contacts but doesn't compress the spinal cord and mild endplate spurring anteriorly the same thing? both are at c4-5

Accepted Answer

NOT SAME THING: However, both are results of acquired wear and tear.  The endplate spurring can be looked at like arthritis, the disc protrusion is indicative of a tear in the basket surrounding the disc, which results in contact with spinal cord.  This is not yet a "surgical" issue, and rather, is potentially managed by conservative approaches, especially physical therapy.  Do NOT see chiropractor!!!

Question 5

had an mri and dont understand results.  "large posterior disk extrusion contacting the anterior spinal cord and causing severe spinal canal stenosis.

Accepted Answer

Spinal Stenosis: Did a doctor explain to you the results or did you just obtain a copy? In general you have a protruding disc (not sure if neck or back) that is impinging on the spinal canal and resulting in narrowing of the canal. I would imagine you are having pain, weakness, numbness?

Question 6

my mri says "spinal cord contact".  does it cause pain if an osteophyte or a disc touches the spinal cord with mild spinal canal stenosis?  thank you.

Accepted Answer

Depends: An osteophyte touching the spine shouldn't cause pain.  What we worry about is when an osteophyte or protruding disk actually compresses the spinal cord/canal which should be seen on the MRI.

Question 7

l3/4 l4/5 disc bulges & facet joint deg
l5/s1 indent spinal cord, disc contact nerve root lateral recess & facet joint deg
can body twist worsen this?

Accepted Answer

Clarification: Sounds like you possess lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, and indeed there may be some degree of lumbar root compression. (Spinal cord ends at L-1,2 and there is no effect on cord).  Learn McKenzie exercise protocol, do it multiple times weekly, be cautious with heavy lifting, work with a good physical therapist, and learn proper body mechanics.

Question 8

how common are injuries to the spinal cord?

Accepted Answer

Moderate: Fortunately, the bones in the spine give us pretty good protection and spinal cord injuries are much less common than things like broken wrists, collarbones, legs, etc. But they are devastating injuries when they lead to paralysis, so you should do everything you can do to prevent them.  Wear your seatbelt, be very careful on ladders, stay off roofs (unless trained), don't dive into water, etc.

Question 9

what can be a possible cause of "widening of the spinal cord"?

Accepted Answer

Many things : It depends on what they mean by widening.  It could be that it is being flattened spreading it wider due to compression in the neck from a herniated disc and/or facet joint arthritis.  Or it could be something inside the spinal cord like extra fluid or even a tumor causing enlargement of the cord.

Question 10

which part of your spinal cord would you have to damage to die?

Accepted Answer

Teansection of your: Spinal cord can be fatal.  The people who live usually... Have continued respiratory functions.  If you cannot support breathing - you will die.  If you transect the cord lower than your muscles of respiration you are more likely to survive.  But in many cases people only partially transect the crod so they can maintain breathing.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Near contact with ventral spinal cord

A member asked:

I need help understanding my mri. c7-t1: 3 mm posterior central disc protrusion contacts the ventral spinal cord without significant deformity.

A member asked:

C5-c6: disc desiccation with mod space height loss present. central disc protrusion indenting thecal sac contacting the ventral margin of the spinal cord resulting in spinal stenosis. mild left neuroforaminal stenosis present. can you break it down?

A member asked:

Had an mri of my cervical spine done. results says mild disc bulge that abuts the right ventral surface of the thecal sac. does this mean i have spinal cord compression ?

A member asked:

Are small disc protrusion which contacts but doesn't compress the spinal cord and mild endplate spurring anteriorly the same thing? both are at c4-5

A member asked:

Had an mri and dont understand results. "large posterior disk extrusion contacting the anterior spinal cord and causing severe spinal canal stenosis.

A member asked:

My mri says "spinal cord contact". does it cause pain if an osteophyte or a disc touches the spinal cord with mild spinal canal stenosis? thank you.

A member asked:

L3/4 l4/5 disc bulges & facet joint deg l5/s1 indent spinal cord, disc contact nerve root lateral recess & facet joint deg can body twist worsen this?

A member asked:

How common are injuries to the spinal cord?

A member asked:

What can be a possible cause of "widening of the spinal cord"?

A member asked:

Which part of your spinal cord would you have to damage to die?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?