Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 2/18/2008

Question
Hi, i was doing amateur wrestling and i wasnt warmed up enough or that energetic during the match, I had cooled down, and unfortunately the other guy was going hell for leather. This was during training... I got trapped and something cracked in my neck.. I had an MRI scan and this was the the result, now my doctor told me I shouldnt panic and lots of people have this?? what do you think of this MRI report? I would love to have some more opinions... basically I can work out and wrestle again, if i tilt my head over to the left and down then it kind of pulls a bit and feels weird.

At  the C5/6 level there is lost signal coming from the disc but a prominent disc bulge indenting the theca but ubutting the cord. Futhermore there is sub ligamentous oodema and high signal intensity within the disc suggestive of a soft “disc”

At the C5/6 there is a low grade broad based disc bulge with a more focal central and right para central disc bulge which has a soft disc appearance. There is some minor narrowing of the right exit formen though this is not marked.

I would be really gratefull for any feedaback.

Luke Perrin, age 28, UK.

Answer
Your doctor is right in that a great majority of people have disc "symptoms" on MRI; but you are having symptoms related to disc impinging on the cord or a nerve.  I would first try to find a practitioner of the Mackenzie method and be evaluated.  If no change in symptoms, I would check with a Neurologist to asses if it is a surgical case.