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KayEmGee

Cervical MRI Review - 15 years of chronic pain

Other

I've struggled with neck and shoulder pain for 15 years. I've done PT, medications, chiropractic, pillows/mattresses, strength training. Doctors have told me my MRI results are "unremarkable", most people have what I have with no issues. But my pain is everyday and worse in sleep.

Has anyone had anything similar? What has helped?

2014 MRI:

TECHNIQUE: The following sequences were performed on a 1.5 Tesla MRI: Sagittal T1 and T2 sequences Axial T2 and T1 sequences

FINDINGS:

Straightening of normal cervical lordosis with smooth margined kyphosis centered at C5-6. Vertebral body heights are maintained. Chin. Visualized paraspinous soft tissues are unremarkable.

  • C2-C3: No significant disc pathology or stenosis.
  • C3-C4: No significant disc pathology or stenosis.
  • C4-C5: Unconvertebral hypertrophy on the left mild left neural foraminal narrowing.
  • C5-C6: 2 mm central disc protrusion. Ventral CSF effacement with mild canal narrowing.
  • C6-C7: No significant disc pathology or stenosis.
  • C7-T1: No significant disc pathology or stenosis.

IMPRESSION:

  1. Straightening of normal cervical lordosis with smooth margined kyphosis centered at C5-6.
  2. At C5-6 there is a 2 mm central disc protrusion with mild canal narrowing.
  3. At C4-5 there is uncovertebral hypertrophy on the left with mild left neural foraminal narrowing.

2019 MRI:
TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar unenhanced T1 and T2 weighted images of the cervical
spine.

FINDINGS:
There is straightening and kyphotic reversal of the normal cervical lordosis with its apex
at C5 similar in appearance to the prior study. Cervical alignment is otherwise within
normal limits. No loss of vertebral body heights. Cervical marrow signal is within normal
limits. Cervical cord is normal in appearance without abnormal contour or signal.
A level by level analysis reveals the following:

  • C2-3: Unremarkable.
  • C3-4: Unremarkable.
  • C4-5: Unremarkable.
  • C5-6: There is concentric uncovertebral hypertrophy (3 mm) with mild central canal narrowing, and slight bilateral neural foraminal narrowing, similar in appearance to the prior study.
  • C6-7: Unremarkable.
  • C7-T1: Unremarkable

IMPRESSION:

  1. At C5-6, There is concentric uncovertebral hypertrophy (3 mm) with mild central canal narrowing, and slight bilateral neural foraminal narrowing, similar in appearance to the prior study.
  2. Straightening and kyphotic reversal of the normal cervical lordosis suggesting muscle spasm/pain, unchanged.
  3. No acute severe neurocompressive cervical disc protrusion/extrusion. No severe central canal or neural foraminal narrowing at any cervical level.

Posted Apr 1, 2026, 8:40 PM UTC

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