Cervical myelopathy is a blanket term to describe a condition in which part of your spinal cord becomes compressed or impinged in your neck region. This can be caused for a few different reasons, and symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Some patients even chalk their symptoms up to the natural aging process, but doing so can lead to worsening treatments if the problem isn’t corrected. So today, we’re taking a closer look at the causes, symptoms and treatment options for cervical myelopathy.
Causes and Symptoms of Cervical Myelopathy
As we noted above, the general cause of cervical myelopathy is due to spinal cord compression in the neck region, but the root cause of this compression can vary. Common underlying causes include shifted or herniated cervical discs, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, congenital spinal stenosis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Determining your root cause of compression will be key for determining the best treatment method.
Symptoms of cervical myelopathy include:
- Pain in the neck
- Radiating discomfort in the arms
- A generalized feeling of clumsiness in the hands and arms
- Difficulty handling small objects
- Handwriting changes
- Regionalized numbness
If the condition progresses to a severe state, it can also impact your ability to walk or safely maintain your balance. If you’re dealing with any of the above symptoms, don’t just assume it’s a natural part of getting old. Head to a spine specialist’s office today for more information and a diagnosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Patients who present with some of the above symptoms or fit the bill for potentially having cervical myelopathy will undergo some physical movement tests to see which movements bring relief or trigger symptoms. From there, your doctor will order an X-ray or similar imaging test to look for congenital narrowing of the spinal canal or for bone spurs that may signal deterioration in the area. An MRI or CT scan can also help to determine what might be causing the compression.
As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, cervical myelopathy is oftentimes best treated with surgery. Many of the underlying conditions don’t respond well to conservative treatment, and considering how symptoms can worsen if there is no intervention, surgery to decompress the area is often best. There is the possibility that physical therapy could help control symptoms caused by a bulging or herniated disc in your neck, but the majority of patients undergo a minimally invasive surgery to address their myelopathy.
Your specific surgery will be determined based on your individual needs, but the underlying goal will be to relieve pressure and compression on the spinal cord. Regardless of the specific method, surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy tends to have great results when performed by a skilled spine surgeon.
So if you are dealing with any of the symptoms listed above, or your fine motor skills just aren’t what they used to be and you’re wondering if it’s linked to your neck discomfort, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and see how he can help you get to the bottom of your pain. For more information, contact his clinic today at (651) 430-3800.
