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Tony
04-25-2010, 05:03 PM
I am 59 yrs old, retired; and consider myself a fairly healthy person.
English is not native language, so this is my best translation.
Approx one month ago I started to feel weakness/fatigue in my right upper leg when I walk or climb stairs. I have to stop and rest approx. every 200 meters or so, feeling like that I have been walking steep uphill. Its like I am on a battery that is not properly recharging.
Had EMG Test, the notes on the EMG test read Abnormal EMG, consistent with the L5-S1 right radiculopathy .
Had Lumbar Spine MRI scan. - The radiologist analysis on MRI :
-Bulging degenerative disk V.L 4-5 with facet hypertrophy. Left V.L 4-5 appears indenting thecal sac ventral and narrowing neural foramon V.L 4-5 bilateral.
-Spondylolistesis Grade 1 V.L 5-S1 with bulging disc V.L 5-S1 appears indenting epidural fat but does not appear to narrowing neural foramon V.L 5-S1 bilateral.
-Spondylosis V.L 4 thru V.L 5 anterior and fluid collection at facet joint area of the right V.L 2-3 and V.L 3-4 lightly. Light erosion at the end plate V.L.3 thru V.L 5 anterior with degenerative bone marrow change type 2 at the surrounding end plate.
-Tarlov cyst at area left V.S 2-3 and left V.S 3 with size of 1.0 x .6 cm.
-The whole spine overview found a degenerative process of the Vertebrae Cervical. - Recommendation: Cervical Spine MRI.
From the MRI results the only note the physician had on my medical record card is Bulging Disc L4/L5 + foraminal stenosis bilateral.
I was prescribed multi vitamin supplements and Arcoxia (etoricoxib) 60 mg.
Questions:
- How bad is my situation here? - Reading the MRI analysis, I am really scared that in the near future I might not be able to walk.
- Do I really need to take the Arcoxia ? - So far there is no pain along my back or legs, only the tiredness/fatigue in my right leg when I walk to a distance or stepping up the stairs.
- Do I need to take a Cervical Spine MRI? - There are instances where I feel strain in my left and right neck down to the upper part of my shoulder.
- What do I need to do next?
Comments and advices would be very much appreciated. Regards, Tony

Maria RN
11-07-2010, 04:01 PM
Cervical MRI is requested for patients who suffer from neck pain, weakness, and or numbness. It helps the doctor find out if there is infection, injury,trauma, or tumor in the spine. I suggest that you go for the test as recommended by your doctor.
Anti inflammatory agents such as Arcoxia is prescribed to patients with spondylosis. Here's a link about that drug:
http://www.drugs.com/arcoxia.html

You can also find information about spine problems from these blog entries:
http://www.drjoshua.com/2005/02/01/what-does-cervical-spine-degeneration-mean/
http://www.drjoshua.com/2006/12/20/degenerative-disc-disease-spine-mri/
http://www.drjoshua.com/2007/02/01/cervical-disc-bulging-after-injury-neurosurgeon-ordered-shoulder-mri/