Question
Can you explain this: Posterior midline C4 oseteophyte complex and with mild spinal canal stenosis and mild impingement of the cord, Cr-C5 and C5-C6 have degenerative changes, and mild neural foraminal stenosis as described.  At the C2-C3 level, left facet arthropathy are present.

Answer
Hello Sheila;

I've been answering this for another person here, I think it's going to be my mission to put together a "way to read MRIs and CTs" page on my own website, so people can deal with the majority of things they see on these.

You are not talking about a CT here, unles sit was with a contrast dye they injected.  More likely than not you have MRI scans in front of you.  I say that b/c CT doesn't show the cord.  

Stenosis is simply the shrinking of a tube, in this case the tube that transmits your nerve roots. Impingement of the spinal cord is not a good thing.. there's a bone on your central nervous system.  Arthropathy is arthritis. The facet is the hinge, and ostephytes are a result of either decay of the disc or of the hinge associated with that level.

The degree of your symptoms will dictate whether surgery is required.  Can't move your hand?  SURGERY.  Can move your hand?  Probably not.

Traction and extension are great keys to helping with this, but you will have to start taking care of your spine from now on.  Of course I'm a chiropractor, so I'd recommend that, but anyone who seems rational in their talking to you can figure this one out.

If you have any questions, you can follow up with me from my  <a href="www.dynamicclinic.com">website</a>.