Four month ago I was injured on rock climbing where I had been stroke by rock on shoulder blade. I was diagnosed with Multiple spinous Process Fractures of the Thoracic Vertebrae Th4, Th5 and Th6. After that has started constant tingling and weakness feelings in left arm and fingers, and pain in shoulder.
EMNG was made with the diagnosis of chronic Radiculopathy C7-8 on both sides, easier to moderate degree.
I had been 30 days on physical therapy and nothing changed.
Finally, I had done MRI readings of cervical spine and result are:
The fully corrected cervical lordosis. Was held corporeal order, no dislocation of vertebral collapse or signs of infiltrated lesions of vertebral bodies.
Spinal canal is without stenosis.
Spinal cord is of normal morphology, with a pronounced central modular channel in the level of C5-7 maximum diameter 2mm, without changing the intensity of intramedullary signal and without changing the volume. On postcontrast tomograms which are made, there are no contrasty increase of signal in this region (constitutional state?).
On IV levels implied by recording there are no disk hernations, compressive events, or stenosis of spinal channel. IV foramens are free.
Both brachial plexuses are normal morphology and signal intensity.
Foramen magnum is free.
Conclusion: free of significant pathological changes in the cervical segment
- Constitutional pronounced central modular canal at the level of C5-7.

I need help about this MRI readings. Can someone explain me the MRI results and tell is there a diagnose for arm tingling and weakness problem in this results?
Thank you for time and patients in reading this

I am afraid your request is beyond our scope, rockclimber. We don't diagnose on AMHD as it is certainly difficult not knowing preexisting medical conditions. Everyone is different, and everyone should seek a doctors knowledge if they have questions such as yours regarding MRI readings.

Didn't your doctor have a meeting with you to discuss the MRI readings and to suggest further treatment, offering a diagnosis for the conclusion of your injuries ? This should have taken place so that you would not have to come here wondering what to do next. You must consult with your doctor again if you did not understand ongoing treatment.



Tick

Thank you for your quick response.
I got MRI results on paper, as I have wroted them here, with images and no explanations. I'll be precise with question, could "pronounced central spinal canal at level of C5-7" have effect on arm's tingling and weakness?

Rockclimber,

Please understand that we are neither doctors nor radiologists. We are ordinary citizens who volunteer our time here. Some of us do have education in the medical field, but that prohibits us from diagnosing in real life as well as over the internet.

I suggest you go over these findings with your doctor. Take a list of all questions you have and don't leave until you are satisfied with the diagnosis.

You already have your diagnosis whether you realize it or not. The tingling in your arms is the chronic Radiculopathy C7-8 on both sides, easier to moderate degree.

I have radiculopathy in both of my arms and both of my legs from an auto accident many years ago. I have a lot of discs that are messed up in my neck, thorax and lower spine. Your arms may still tingle and have weakness in them for YEARS to come. This is depending on just how hard you were hit on the shoulder. I've had mine since 1986. Yes, that long. Usually the symptoms will lessen over the years and sometimes will actually go away. My neurologist many years ago told that that nerve tissue (like the nerves that you and I have that are damaged) WILL regenerate but will do so at a very, very slow rate. My neuro told me that my radicular tingling and pain could last for 6 months, for one year, 10 years or forever. I am now at the "forever" stage having whizzed past the 10 year mark a long time ago.

There is NO known cure for nerve damage other than time. I should know as I've been there, done that.

Hope this helps you understand what you're up against. PT didn't help me but actually seemed to aggravate my nerve pain.

Thank you for your quick response.
I got MRI results on paper, as I have wroted them here, with images and no explanations. I'll be precise with question, could "pronounced central spinal canal at level of C5-7" have effect on arm's tingling and weakness?

Most definitely yes. This is the exact location of your nerve damage. This will cause your arms to tingle or be in pain. My nerve pain in my arms radiates down into the palms of my hands and "pools" there. Same thing with my legs. The pain radiates down my legs and "pools" in the soles of my feet.

As many of the others my spine is a disaster. What you should do is see a neurologist and take a copy of your mri and he should be able to show you where and why this is happening to you. He will look at the x ray not the report and he should find it in a matter if minutes. I went to a pain management doctor and ended up with radio frequency nerve blocks which have helped The first one not so much but I've had like 5 or 6 now and the last one lasted over a year now. The tingling and arms numb and the headaches. The nerves block were the best thing ever and this will give your neck time to heal and maybe it will go away, if not you joined our group. We don't want new members so I wish you the best!