Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy is a serious condition affecting the cervical spine, and if left untreated it can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death. In most cases, this is an urgent surgical condition.
Myelopathy describes any neurologic symptoms related to dysfunction of the spinal cord. Cervical myelopathy is frequently caused by compression of the spinal cord in the neck (cervical spine) due to stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck) that creates pressure on the spinal cord. Cervical spinal stenosis most often develops due to degenerative changes in the spine, such as with osteoarthritis or degeneration. A large, acute disc herniation or an unstable fracture compressing the spinal cord may also cause myelopathy.
Anything that reduces the space around your spinal cord can cause myelopathy, such as
- The normal wear and tear of everyday life.
- An Injury to your neck (spinal trauma).
- A disease, such as arthritis.
- A tumor.
Any condition that can cause stenosis may cause myelopathy. Myelopathy is a very serious condition.
Myelopathy actually has a wide range of symptoms, often depending on where the compression happens along your spinal cord. When affecting the cervical spine, you may experience pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling, and have problems such as
- Difficulty with Walking
- Weakness in the Lower Extremities
- Loss of Balance
- Loss of Coordination in the Arms, Hands, or Legs
- Dexterity Problems
- Handwriting Deterioration
- Loss of Fine Motor Skills (e.g., picking up coins, buttoning shirts)
Exaggerated reflexes may also occur, resulting in the compromised smooth function of muscles in the arms or legs.
During your consultation, Dr. Ball will conduct a physical exam and measure your muscle strength and reflexes. He may also
- Order imaging tests, including an MRI scan, an X-ray, or a CT myelogram of your neck.
- Conduct electrical tests to measure how well the nerves in your arms and hand communicate with your brain through the spinal cord.
An MRI scan is the most conclusive test for diagnosing myelopathy, as the pressure on the spinal cord may cause nerve cell death and changes in the appearance of the spinal cord on MRI studies.
At a Glance
Dr. Hieu Ball
- Double fellowship-trained orthopedic
- Orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard Medical School
- Over 20 years of spine surgery experience
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