For the past month or so, I have had a sore neck. Stiffness and trouble turning had me worrying that my Rheumatoid Arthritis has now moved to my neck and is now attacking the cartilage in my spine. So, I went to a neck & spine orthopedic specialist. First step was some x-rays which showed some measurement of the neck bones slightly off from normal by one millimeter. That led to an MRI. Never had one of those before and I now understand why folks who are claustrophobic may have difficulty with MRIs. Yikes, that was a very small space… and loud!
Today I went and got the results. Apparently I have 2 bulging disks of the C6 & C7 (?) vertebrae. These disks push slightly on the spinal column causing the soreness. Nothing bad right now and nothing to go under the knife for, but I now have some exercises that I need to do a few times per day to help build my neck muscles and strength. Apparently years of poor posture, sitting at un-ergonomic desks, and staring at computer screens all day is really not good or the back or neck.
So good news that nothing is really wrong with the neck joints.
