X-Ray Cervical Spine

[B P]

I have suffered from an electric shock sensation in my elbow when gripping anything since November and after several visits to the doctor and physio I have finally had an x-ray. However I don't fully understand the results of the x-ray and how bad it really is and what I should or should not do to avoid any further damage. the results were;-

Spondylotic changes associated with anterior osteophyte formation and disc space narrowing is noted at the levels c4/5 and c5/6. The bony alignment is normal. Degenerative arthrosis is also noted in the neuro-central joints at the level 5/6.

I am rather upset at the results as I am onlky 39 and have always been active. Could weight lifting at the gym have caused this? and is this going to progressively get worse or can I do something to avoid it.

 

[?Rachy Neko Chan?]

[sm=hug.gif]Hello Clair.

I would sugest that you pay onother visit to your gp, and ask him to explain in laymens terms what the x ray has discovered.
and if it is likely to get worse.


take care

 

[cqzhevgn]

Hi Clair, I'm new to the forum, but suffer the same type of symptoms that you do. i get the electric shock pain in my face around the cheek area. It is excrutiating pain.
I am 51 yrs old and my problems started about 20 yrs ago. I have had several x-rays that show cervical spodylosis(sp?)
My arthritis is in c5-6 and c6-7. The 'c' just stands for cervical, which means the bones in the neck area.

anterior osteophyte formation = a bony spur which presses on the surrounding tissue or basically bone overgrowth.


disc space narrowing is noted at the levels c4/5 and c5/6 =speaks for itself. the space in between the discs has narrowed.


bony alignment is normal.= the alignment of the bones is normal positioning.


Degenerative arthrosis = I presume this means that you will develop a bit of arthritis at a future date. You could try 'googling the term'

If I were you I would not give up the weight training. I found that when I did resistance weight training (machines not free weights) my condition improved slightly. I also found that doing weight exercises improves the posture and helps. i.e anything that pulls the shoulders into an upright position. So the neck is aligned correctly.
I used to do 'reverse flyes' on a seated peck deck type of machine. You sit on it facing the machine and pull your shoulder blades back wards, as if trying to get your shoulder blades to meet. Hard to describe on a fourm, but I am sure if you have a word with a trainer, they could point you in the right direction.

One thing I found that was bad for my neck is slouching on the settee or in bed. Try not to let your neck jut forwards. If you keep up the exercises things will improve. I also found that anything that pulls the shoulders down makes things worse i.e carrying heavy shopping bags.
don't worry, it's just part of getting older try 'googling' cervical sponylosis (sp)

try looking at these links:


[link=http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068700/]http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068700/[/link]

or please click here

Chris


EDITED to reduce long link to Google Images to a 'hidden link'

 

[Big Ben]

Hello Clair,
i'm sorry to hear you ae in pain. I would recommend getting some postural advice and exercises, either from a physio, and Alexander Practitioner or a properly qualified Pilates teacher.
Also pay attention to your low back - more often than not low back problems and neck problems go together. I would not go back to the gym until you havelearnt how to hold yourself properly.
Sharon