Question
MRI Reports: There is a disc protrusion/herniation at T5-T6. This is primarily a right paracentral disc protrusion. This also deforms the ventral cord. There is no central canal stenosis. There is no significant neuroforaminal narrowing.   

Can you please tell me what this means is terms that I can understand?

I do have very severe back symptoms, that I have had for a long time. I have had 2 surgeries already, but still no relief. I am still seeking treatment currently, but would like to know what these results mean in terms that I can understand.

My current symptoms are excruciating chest pain...associated with my back problems. The pain is in my upper thoracic area, wraps around my rib cages and causes pain, numbness, and tingling in my right arm. I also get some very severe pain on the right side of my back.    

I had spinal fusion surgery on my T8-T9 disc which they thought was the problem, but I got no relief. Then I had my hardware removed, and still have all the same pain. This pain is so bad I cannot work or function on a daily basis.   

I am wondering since my MRI reports that the herniation is primarily a right paracentral disc protrusion, if this could possibly be the disc that is causing my pain?    

It makes me wonder if possibly they fixed the wrong disc, since I got no relief from the first surgery.   All of my pain and symptoms match up with the area of where the T5-T6 disc is in the spine.    

The MRI also reports that it deforms the ventral cord. Does that mean the bulging disc is pushing on the spinal cord?   

Could that be what is causing the numbness and tingling in my right arm?   

Thanks again for any information you may be able to give me. I am just trying to get information and research this so that I know what kinds of questions to ask my Dr.

Thank you,
Dena Cline

Answer
Although I am not a physician, I can tell you that the good news here is that your neural foramina and canal dimensions are normal.

The disc protrusion deforming the ventral cord is more than likely the issue.  The ventral cord is the ridge of gray matter in each half of the spinal cord, containing the motor neurons innervating the skeletal musculature of the trunk, neck, and extremities.

I would recommend physical therapy over additional surgery since surgery didn't resolve the problem.

Thank you for your question, Dena.  I hope that my answer was helpful.