Spinal cord conditions are as complex as they are painful, and myelopathy describes an injury of the spinal cord that creates severe compression to the spinal cord, constricting the spine and causing nerve damage. Myelopathy is a neurologic deficit, meaning that it’s an abnormal effect resulting from weaker functions of the brain, spine, and nerves. This condition can occur in any spinal area and typically occurs during aging.
Myelopathy changes its definition depending on the location of where it occurs. Some examples of different variants of myelopathy include:
Cervical Myelopathy – Cervical myelopathy affects the cervical spine or neck for short. Typically caused by degenerative disc disease in the neck, it causes numbness, weakness, and tingling in the arms, hands, and legs. It’s the most recurring form, but not all patients experience it.
Thoracic Myelopathy – This condition occurs in the middle of the spine, and is typically caused by herniated discs, spine trauma, and bone spurs. The symptoms occur gradually and include numbness, weakness in the legs, loss of coordination, and difficulty walking.
Lumbar Myelopathy – Lumbar Myelopathy affects the lower part of the spine or the top part of the lumbar region. It’s the rarest form of myelopathy.
Causes and Symptoms of Myelopathy
Myelopathy typically develops slowly and has numerous causes. Age, inflammation, arthritic illnesses, bone spurs, and any signs of the discs flattening can cause compression, which creates pain and a decreased ability to use certain parts of the body to function. Most commonly, myelopathy occurs acutely due to a spinal injury or infection around the spinal cord. In its chronic state, it can be caused by tumors around or on the spinal cord, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, and spinal stenosis. Autoimmune diseases, cancers, herniated discs, and the narrowing of the spinal cord can all create myelopathy but exhibit common symptoms, such as:
• Neck, leg, arm, and lower back pain
• Abnormal reflexes in the extremities
• Numbness, tingling, and weakness
• Loss of urinary and bowel control
• Issues with balance and coordination
• Difficulties with motor skills, such as writing or sewing
Diagnosis and Treatment of Myelopathy
Dr. Patel will first need to diagnose the condition and use x-rays, MRI scans, myelography, and electromyograms to test your sensations and observe your condition. He may advise that the condition occurred due to another underlying condition, as myelopathy is a complicated disease that usually occurs at the subset of other diseases, such as diabetes. For treatment, Dr. Patel will suggest both non-surgical and surgical treatments depending on the state of your myelopathy and what’s causing it.
For any treatments regarding spine injuries, traumatic accidents, or unexplained pain occurring from your spine, Dr. Pranay Patel will be able to treat it effectively at Ocean Spine, a spine specialist practice located in the South Bay, Los Angeles, and Long Beach regions. If you have any concerns regarding your spine treatment, wish to learn more about Dr. Patel at Ocean Spine, or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today for treatment.