Expert: J.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C. - 4/29/2009

Question
i have had an MRI and this is what it said.1)Large Left precentorial disc protrusion C6-7 with left sided C6-7 Foraminal stenosis 2) Central and Left sided disc protrusion C5-6 with left sided C5-6 foraminal stenosis
3?Tendinosis of the supraspinatus tendon with subdeltoid effusion.4?Osteoarthritic change of the acromioclavivular joint and glenohumeral joint. Help!  What does this mean? What is really wrong with me in SIMPLE terms?

Answer
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Hello M.,

First off, remember that I am not attempting to diagnose you; I’m only trying to put your current diagnosis you provided into simpler terms.  I definitely understand your frustration.  Your diagnosis does sound very complicated, but the simpler terms will help you put it into perspective.

1). At your C6-7 segments in your neck, the disk between the bones is bulging.  That bulge is narrowing your spinal canal (which is the canal that hold your spinal cord).  This may or may not be painful.  It just depends on how you feel.  So basically, you have a disc bulge narrowing your neural space in your lower neck.

2). The same thing that is occurring above is occurring at your C5-6 segments in your neck.  So two discs are bulging in your neck, which is decreasing the available space for your spinal cord, which may or may not be painful, depending on your symptoms.

3) The supraspinatus is a muscle in the shoulder.  It is one of 4 muscles that comprise the rotator cuff.  The supraspinatus muscle is the most commonly injured muscle of the rotator cuff.  For some reason, the tendon of this muscle has become irritated (perhaps long-term irritation), and it has caused swelling/inflammation underneath your deltoid.  The deltoid is another shoulder muscle nearby, but is not a part of the rotator cuff.  The deltoid is the shoulder muscle that gives the shoulder its shape/definition.  The irritation of the supraspinatus muscle is underneath the deltoid.

4) Osteoarthritis is basic, wear and tear, degenerative arthritis.  Basically, you have arthritis forming in one of your shoulder joints (acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints).  I have no idea the severity of the arthritis.  That needs to be determined by looking at the MRI.

I hope this puts things into simpler terms.  This is not my diagnosis of your condition, and does not substitute as a second opinion.  The above information is only educational purposes and should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice.

I hope this helps.  Best of luck!
Dr. JR Strecker, DC