Degenerative Changes of the Cervical Spine on MRI

As we age, our cervical spines undergo a few major processes that can lead to neck pain and in some cases, neurologic symptoms such as weakness and numbness. These processes are degenerative disc disease and facet and uncovertebral joint arthropathy. But what are those and how do you know if you need treatment?

Almost everyone with neck pain will get an imaging study, including an x-ray, CT, or MRI with an MRI being the most valuable. If you have had an MRI or even if you haven’t but you have neck pain, this video will help you better understand what happens to our necks as we age using MRI as a guide.

Dr. Evan, a highly trained neuroradiologist who specializes in spinal imaging, will start by explaining in detail the structure of the cervical spine in the neck. Then, he will compare normal spine MRI results with MRI images of the degenerative disc disease and facet and uncovertebral joint arthropathy. Dr. Evan will demonstrate the process of how degenerative changes in the cervical spine progress over time.

Watching this video will help you better understand your radiology imaging results, as well as the causes of possible cervical spine pain.

All of Dr. Evan explanations will be supported by high-quality 3D models of the cervical spine and real-life degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy MRI images provided by Mediphany.

[conniepayne]

I had a titanium plate in connecting my eroding cervicals. I think from C5 to C7. I feel a lot better since recovering from the surgery. This was in 2017. I had a good doctor and I wasn't at all afraid.

[deborahcurcio]

Thank you for these educational and helpful visuals. I had MRIs of my Cervical and Thoracic vertebrae and was shown nothing. I received a report that summarized observations into one document. Disappointing when you are trying to learn what you can do to heal or fix pain. I feel more equipped to ask questions due to the views and explanations in your video. Thanks again,

[MM-sfrl]

Nice presentation. As you know too well, it takes years and years to get to your level of understanding of the images, names for the anatomy, etc.
Is it possible to say which joints, arthritic condition, collapsing or collapsed, disc., etc., is restricting the turning of the head. I can look about 45 degrees to the right ant 55 degrees to the left after two months of PT. Is there any operation, PT or chiropractic work that can be done? Or does one just wait until it gets worse? Thank you.

[samuelobeng]

Please can this condition lead peripheral neuropathy

[debraparker]

chronic pain for 30 yrs, I can't take it anymore. I do have other problems but I have enough problems in c5/6 they did a discechtomy. It's not just car accidents (2 bad ones) or age - my pain started decades ago. Nobody of all the medicos or natural places I went said anything about my flat feet. When I had a whole body xray it was truly shocking. Bad scoliosis, kyphosis, my head was way infront of my shoulders. One shoulder higher than the other, opposite hip higher than the other. No relief from neck operation. What exercises could I do to relieve neck pain whilst I have this scoliosis? Then maybe the all over pain may relieve.

[pAkdAHollywoodrecords]

Thank You Dr. Evan ♥️🙏✨,
Thank you for taking the time to explain the MRI,
I myself suffer from this degenerative disease.
I have formulated an Ayurvedic Medicine for cellular regeneration to cure this disease and other diseases.

Love ❤️ N Regards,
Dr. Pak0da 💛
Ayurvedic Medicine

[rhiannancaraway]

What could cause white spots in the spinal cord that show on a cervical spine MRI? I have been in testing for MS or other neurological conditions since 2021. I had a C spine MRI recently and saw bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis and spinal stenosis in the report. However, when I looked at the images on my own, I could see some fairly large white spots in my spinal cord. They were not mentioned in the report. Is it possible it's just an artefact?

[josephgallolaw]

This is great! Thank you. Can you do a video of how to tell if the conditions, such as herniations, desiccation, degenerative disc disease, etc., are from a traumatic event like a car accident versus age-related conditions?

[moji]

Hi doctor thank you for the great video . I have a chronic neck pain for the last few years radiates to my arms sometimes in both sides. I took a MRI . The report didn't say anything abnormal. Can you check it again if I send it to you? That will be a great favor to me. My pain is till there and makes my life hard . Want to know what causes it. I'm a medical student myself btw. I would appreciate if you do this I can send the mri to your email. Please let me know

[Austin_]

Thank you for the visual demonstration and explanation

[ScottSummerill]

Late to comment but, is there anyway to re-hydrate the cervical discs? Perhaps regular use of an inversion table or vertical stretching of the cervical spine. I have both an inversion table and one of those cervical neck traction devices. In regards to the traction device, I have wondered if a pumping action (traction applied on/off over a couple minutes) might move fluid back into the discs. Do know if this might actually work? Thanks!

[JM-nyio]

Excellent videos. Your explanation is outstanding but the background music was distracting to me.

[cheriesaminto]

Hello how can i reach out for insight about a recent brain and spine mri?

[phalkek]

Kindly remove the music from this video it is disturbing. If the discks are going back then what is the treatment?

[ernierobison]

The music is annoying .everything else great

[EduardoMusasa]

What if one vertebrae appears white on MRI?

[cdnsilverdaddy]

MRi's do not show pain so be informed

[gavinelliot]

I doubt getting help doctors dont listen in aust.crap.9 vertibrae stenosi.both hips.l5s1.rotacuf.2knees.all servere. I'm cactus at 64.T800Aust