Question
My right hand has had constant pain in ring and pinky fingers. This hand will also feel cold sometimes.  I had a MRI and these are the results.
Developementally the spinal canal is normal in AP and side to side diameter. There is reversal or lordosis between C3 and C7 associated with mild to moderate curvature of the upper cervial spine to the right.Developmentally the spinal canal is in the lower limits of normal in AP and side to side diameter.
There is no evidence of craniocervical abnormality. The C2-C3 disc is mildly dessiccated and bulging without cord or root compression.
C3-C-4: The disc is mildly desiccated and bulging with indentation of the thecal sac without cord or root compression.
C4-C5:Moderate to severe disvc degeneration is associated with prevertebral osteophyte as as a broad based midline and right of midline epidural defect which focally compresses the spinal cord to a moderate degree. Signal features are consistent with a disc herniation. There may be associated osteophytic ridge. There is no definite evidence of cord edeme or gliosis.
C5-C6: Severe chronic disc degeneration is associated with irregularity of the opposing vertebral body surfaces, marrow degeneration and a prominent prevertebral osteophyte. There is a broad based ventral ridge which diffusely compresses the spinal cord to a moderate degree with chronic deformity of the cord. There is suggestion of cord gliosis or edema. Osteophyte extends into both foramina which are severely narrowed impinging on the exiting C^ roots. There is also 3 mm retrolisthesis of C% relative to C6.
C6-C7: Severe disc degeneration with chronic features is associate with irregularity of opposing vertebral body surfaces and prevertebral osteophyte formation. There is broad based epidural defect consistent with osteophytic ridge and/or desiccated disc herniation diffusely compressing the spinal cord to a moderate to severe degree. There is severe left foraminal stenosis with compression of the exiting C& root as well as moderate to severe right foraminal stenosis.
The cervical thoracic discs are degenerated without epidural compression.
I have had a cortizone injection and the relief has been about 50%. Physical therapy has also given me neck exercises to stregthen the muscles. I also suffer from Lupus, my age is in the early 50's. My rheumatoligist really wants me to have neck surgery, but that would be my last resort. What is your diagnosis and suggestions. Thank you for your time and opinion.

Answer
Marsha,

Cortisone injections are not the answer for you, they do not help to correct anything and they actually make things worse. Neck surgery is also most likely not for you as it also does not correct anything and most times leaves the patient worse after a few years.
Can you send me any pics of your cervical spine MRI?  You can email them to me and then I will be in a better position to help you.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert Arnone
Cervical Spine Specialist
St Louis, MO 63141
[email protected]