Question
I recently had an x-ray cervical spine with obliques. the results are as follow. There is mild narrowing of the disc at C5-C6 and C6-C7 with small vertebral and uncovertebral joint spurs. There is bilateral mild encroachment on C5-C6 and C6-C7 neural foramina, due to spurs. Rudimentary cervical ribs are present. The curve is straightened. Alignment, odontoid and prevertebral soft tissues are unremarkable. Degenerative disco, C5-C^ and C6-C7, with degenerative joint disease, mild bilateral foraminal encroachment and straightening. what does this mean?

Answer
Okay, Linda... this one's easy.  Oblique cervical views are taken to look at the foramen, or "tunnels" formed by the arch of the bone above, and the valley of the bone below.  The nerve roots, two per level,one on each side, run through this opening between the bones, and transmit information to and from your brain and spinal cord.  The hinges of your neck are pretty close to this opening, as are some accessory hinges that look like little saddles in the neck.  If the saddles are big, they present a bony hurdle for the nerve to go around, sometimes pushing the nerve, literally, between a rock and a hard place.
Rudimentary ribs are just what they sound like... little pieces of bone in the neck that look like ribs. (we only should have ribs in the mid back region)
Degenerative Joint Disease is another name for arthritis.

All this says to me that without knowing your symptoms, you are numb, pins and needles, or weak or all three in your arms, where these nerves travel.

Unfortunately, noone sold you on the benefits of chiropractic care years ago, but there is hope for you. Any DC (doctor of chiropractic) worth their salt could help you with this, if it is in fact "helpable".   If not, surgery, something we call a roto-rooter job, is really the only way to take care of the isssue, and noone's in a rush to do that unless you have weakness or paralysis.

If you need a chiropractor in Seattle to deal with this, call me, if you want a referral, just ask and I'll see what I can find near you.
Hope this answers your question!

Dr. Peter Carr
Seattle, WA