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Dr. Arun Phophalia
Dr. Arun Phophalia, Doctor (MD)
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What is a moderate-sized disk/osteophyte complex at C6-7 and

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What is a moderate-sized disk/osteophyte complex at C6-7 and C5-6 which produces mild central spinal stenosis and moderate bilateral neural forminal stenosis--especially on the right---what does it mean?? Is it dangerous to myself and what do you think is a treatment...I have constant sharp pain in the right shoulder causing numbness, severe pain and the inability to use or at times lift my arm above waist high.. Can you help me What kind of a Doctor so I need?? Thank you for any answers-- I am about to go nuts about this..It interferes with my daily activities!



The osteophytes are part of the degenerative process going in our body with progression of the age. These are new bone formation when we the disc between our two vertebrae also degenerates and loose elasticity or shock absorbing capacity. Most of the people will have some changes. Many of us would become symptomatic because of the pinched nerves by these osteophytes and disc (which can press the nerves, nerve roots and spinal cord itself). The disc is best thought of as a jam donut. The bun around the outside is called the annulus, and the jam in the middle is called the nucleus. The 'Bun" part of your disc is bulging. Bones in the neck degenerate with aging. Over time, cervical spondylosis may result from bony spurs and problems with ligaments and disks. The spinal canal can stenose and compress the spinal cord and nerves to the arms. Cervical spondylosis is a common progressive degenerative process. Disk degeneration causes cervical spondylosis. As disks age, they fragment, desiccate and collapse. This starts in the nucleus pulposus and progresses to the annulus fibrosis which bulges outward. The most commonly involved nerve roots are the sixth and seventh cervical nerve roots, caused by C6-7 spondylosis. People can present with pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness. This is not dangerous and is initially managed by conservative treatment (called as medical management). Following is the treatment;


1) Neck care in the activities of daily living.





2) Cervical Collar


3) Cervical traction


4) Anti-inflammatory analgesics


5) Some physicians do give oral steroids in severe radiculopathy cases.






Failure of conservative treatment (increasing pain, numbness or no relief, spasm in the limbs etc) will warrant surgery.


You should consult either an orthopedic specialist or rehab specialist (MD in physical medicine and rehabilitation). Surgery, if warranted, is usually done by neurosurgeons or spinal surgeons.


Please feel free for your follow up questions.


Dr. Arun
