Cervical Spine

The cervical spine is the most mobile section of the spinal column, and has to support the weight of the head for most of our waking lives; it is prone to degeneration (wear and tear), of the intervertebral discs and the seven facet joints on each side of the spine. These degenerative changes may result in pressure on the spinal cord, or cervical nerves which can in turn cause pain in the upper limb, or weakness and numbness in the legs.

Disc protrusion

A cervical disc protrusion may be due to a sudden movement or injury, such as the whiplash injury which can be sustained in a road traffic accident. The disc protrusion may cause pain in its own right or it may cause pain by pressing on the cervical nerve roots, as they leave the spinal canal. More seriously, a cervical disc which protrudes posteriorly may press on the spinal cord and cause weakness of the legs or sphincter disturbance (incontinence).

Magnetic Resonance imaging showing disc protrusion

This patient injured her neck when her car was hit from behind by another car whilst she was stationary at traffic lights. Seven months later her neck pain had not resolved and MRI demonstrated a small posterior protrusion of the C6/C7 disc. The pain eventually resolved with non operative treatment but the demonstration of an abnormal disc, in the absence of any previous neck pain, supported her claim for damages following the accident.

This 57-year-old man had developed increasingly severe pain in both shoulders and arms over the previous 18 months and has more recently noticed that his walking had deteriorated. The MRI scan showed narrowing of the spinal canal at several levels, due to degeneration in the discs and the facet joints and compression of the cervical nerve roots. Abnormal signal in the spinal cord indicated that the canal narrowing had damaged the spinal cord. Operative treatment improved the symptoms in his arms and arrested progression of the walking difficulty.

MRI scan showing narowwing of the spinal canal at several levels

MR Scan showing meningioma at the junction of the thoracic and cervical spine

This 48-year-old lady complained of weakness and pins and needles in her legs. Careful examination by her general practitioner suggested a high spinal abnormality. MRI scan showed a meningioma (benign tumour) at the junction of the thoracic and cervical spine. Surgical removal of the tumour resulted in a complete recovery.

Office injuries

MRI evidence can provide proof of repetitive stroke injuries (Tenosynovitis), or diagnose fractures not seen in X-Ray, or diagnose tumors or rheumatoid arthritis.

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Personal Injury Cases

We have done over 2000 medicolegal reports including attendance at Civil and Crown courts to present evidence.

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Chronic Joint Pain

An Open MR scan will investigate unexplained pain, swelling or restricted movement

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