Overview

 

Myelopathy is a term used to refer to any condition that creates problems in the spinal cord.

Myelopathy is a medical condition caused by excessive pressure being placed on the spinal cord. This condition often occurs in the neck and is caused by generalized degenerative changes (arthritis) and/or herniated discs. Early myelopathy manifests itself as difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as using keys and picking up objects, and in motor changes that affect the way a patient walks.

As myelopathy worsens, many patients experience numbness and tingling and loose strength in their upper and lower extremities. In its most severe form, patients become wheelchair bound. The treatment for this condition is surgical decompression. This means that the structures squeezing the spinal cord are removed. Although surgery usually results in a cure, often, the lost strength is not fully restored.

Cervical Myelopathy

Dysfunction of the spinal cord is termed myelopathy. The dysfunction can result from many sources including cervical stenosis and herniated discs (see above). Spinal cord injury that is painless suggests a process going on within the spinal cord itself, such as multiple sclerosis, tumor, infection, or vitamin deficiency. Pain is present when the nerves and membrane outside the spinal cord are injured as with disc disease of the spine, arthritis, fractures, or tumors developing outside the spinal cord. Regardless of the precise form of damage, the spinal cord responds in a characteristic way, producing weakness in the limbs (legs, or legs in combination with arms), tightness or spasticity of movement, altered sensation, and even incontinence. The physician's examination may confirm these observations and may document very active reflexes as well.

Discovering the cause of the spinal cord problem is important because early correction, when possible, salvages spinal cord function and may permit recovery, fully or partially. Prolonged pressure on the spinal cord may result in permanent injury and disability.

Symptoms

Symptoms from cervical spinal stenosis without spinal cord compression are usually limited to neck pain and symptoms from nerve root compression. They include sensory changes of tingling, numbness, and paresthesias in the upper extremity. These symptoms can overlap with those of developing cervical myelopathy (see below) and can include a gradual progression of clumsiness, weakness, or numbness in the hands or fingers.

Tests For Diagnosis

Physical examination for cervical stenosis will include a neurological exam and testing of your reflexes as well as a visual examination of your walking (gait). Patients with cervical myelopathy frequently have very strong reflexes (hyperreflexia) and changes in their gait pattern. Your doctor may therefore recommend one or more tests to help him assess your spine and spinal cord. Plain x-rays may be obtained or scanning, either CT or MRI, may be recommended.

Less commonly, dye may be injected into the spinal fluid to outline the nerves and spinal cord within the spinal canal, and spinal fluid may be analyzed. This test is called a myelogram and is usually performed in conjunction with CT scanning after the dye injection. Electrical monitoring of spinal cord function may be obtained by using evoked potentials to indicate the region and degree of injury. Once your problem is identified, then you and your doctor may review your treatment options.

Treatment

Nonoperative treatment for cervical stenosis includes immobilization, traction, physical therapy (exercises, strength training, massage, mobilization) and physical modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat), medications (analgesics, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids). If symptomatic improvement is not achieved with an aggressive nonoperative treatment program within 6 to 8 weeks, patients are reevaluated and surgical treatment may be considered.

Surgery is the treatment of choice for advanced cervical myelopathy. Types of surgery include decompression of the spinal cord from the back of the spine with removal or repositioning of the spinal laminae (laminectomy or laminoplasty) and decompression of the spinal cord from the front of the spine with removal of the intervertebral discs and possibly the vertebrae themselves comprising the involved segments.

Prognosis

The natural history of cervical stenosis and cervical myelopathy is that of a progressive disease which eventually may lead to severe disabilities if left untreated. Some people have extended periods of relative stability where progression slows or is not apparent. With surgical decompression of the spinal cord, significant improvement in sensation and function can occur, most particularly in the upper extremities. The main goals of surgery, however, are preservation of remaining function and relief of pain.

Factors related to the prognosis of cervical myelopathy change relative to the cause of the myelopathy. Symptomatology caused by soft disc herniation and abnormal vertebral growth (boney ridges) is often similar but develops within different time frames. Surgical treatment for single level decompression of the spinal cord tends to have a better outcome as compared to treatment for multiple vertebral level disease.

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