Cervical Myelopathy – Spinal Cord Compression
Description
Weakness. Clumsiness. Wobbliness. These are a few of the symptoms of cervical myelopathy, a condition in which the spinal cord is compressed at the neck. Functional changes in the upper or lower extremities are often subtle at first, so proper diagnosis is important. Read on for more.
Causes & Triggers
- Autoimmune conditions
- Bone spur
- Degeneration
- Dislocation
- Fracture
- Slipped disk
- Trauma
- Tumor
Signs & Symptoms
- Bladder urgency issues
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of balance
- Numbness or weakness in hands or arms
- Pain in neck, shoulder or arms
- Stiffness
- Tingling in arms and legs
Tips & Treatment
- Symptoms may be relieved with non-surgical therapies such as oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication, injected steroids or, in some case, physical therapy.
- Since surgical decompression may be required, seek the medical advice of a well-qualified orthopedic surgeon.
