First of all, I had a motor vehicle accident in 2009, when I was 23. Now, I'm 27. I've been experiencing severe, chronic pain since the trauma. I had an X-ray done on July 3 (6 or 7 days ago).
My GP wanted more detail, so she authorised a CT Scan, which I had done on July 9, 2 days ago.
I could not understand what she was saying when she was telling me what the findings were, so I asked her to open up Microsoft Word and put it all in simple terms which I could comprehend.
This is what she wrote about the X-ray:
I have an outward bulging, abnormally increased curvature of the spine. Several vertebraes in the mid thoracic spine, have frontal compression. The worst vertebrae affected has lost 35% of its height. This vertebrae has sustained a compression fracture, which means that it has collapsed.
This is what she wrote about the CT Scan:
I have degenerative osteoarthritic disease of the joints in between the vertebraes in the upper thoracic spine.
I have bone spurs on the T3 AND T4 vertebraes in the upper thoracic spine, which are putting pressure on the front outer covering of the spinal cord.
I have a curve, and a hardening along the fibrous tissues of the facet joints. The facet joints that are affected are the T10 AND T11.
I have degeneration of intervertebral discs. These discs are in between the vertebraes.
The discs that are degenerating the most are the T3 AND T4. This is deforming the front of the outer covering of the spinal cord.
Is this all bad news for me? It sounds like it. I've read that they put people on Oxycontin and muscle relaxants like Valium or Ativan for these type of problems.
Do I need an MRI to complete the investigation? And to top it all off, I tested positive for severe Vitamin D deficiency, and have been practically bedridden for 4 years without having ANY form of physical exercise, so tomorrow, they are testing me for osteoporosis.
To the best of your knowledge, how severe are my injuries that I sustained from the trauma?
Thanks for your time.
Yours Sincerely, Mr. Hayes
Australia.

