What is Myelopathy?
Myelopathy is simply defined as a compression of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long, tubular bundle of nerves that serves as a pathway of communication signals between your brain and your body. It is located inside your spinal canal that runs almost its entire length. Your spine, also termed as the vertebrae, functions as protection of your spinal cord.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Myelopathy?
Myelopathy has wide range of signs and symptoms. The pressure on the nerves can cause problems on almost any part of your body. Myelopathy results from compression of the spinal cord may cause weakness of the hands and/or legs, problems with walking, balance, and coordination. Loss of normal bowel, bladder, or sexual function may develop. The condition is often painless, unless accompanied by radiculopathy, which is compression of a nerve root, which may cause radiating pain.
The signs and symptoms depend on which part of your spinal cord is compressed. If it’s at the back of your neck (called your cervical area), you may have problems such as numbness, tingling sensations, weakness, or pain. You may feel them just below the area where the compression is. It can start from your neck, to your shoulders, extending to your upper extremities. It can also radiate to your legs or feet depending on the severity of the nerve compression.
Myelopathy at the lower portion of the spine can cause pain, weakness, numbness or tingling, and cramping in your lower extremities.
Myelopathy can also cause problems with balance, walking, and running. It can also produce bladder and bowels problems.
Myelopathy can result in loss of the use of hands or the ability to walk if left untreated. Once spinal cord damage occurs, it is often not fully reversible. Myelopathy can arise at any level of the spinal cord but most commonly arises from a problem in the neck. Symptoms of myelopathy typically begin with a gradual onset and slowly progress over months and years. Myelopathy is most commonly found to affect individuals age 50 and older.
What Causes Myelopathy?
Myelopathy happens when something presses against the spinal cord secondary to any trauma, spinal subluxation or misalignment, as well as degenerative diseases, and other factors that may contribute to compression or constriction of your nerve bundle. Other causes may also include the following:
- Infections along the spine
- Tumors
- Inflammation
- Autoimmune disorders
- Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spine surrounding the nerves
- Musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis
- Congenital disorders
Myelopathy develops slowly, and the factors that can contribute to this condition can be anything that results into a reduction of the space of your spinal canal (which houses your spinal cord) including the normal wear and tear of everyday life. It can be triggered by an injury to your neck or to any area of your back. It can also be an effect of other diseases such as arthritis or a tumor pressing the spinal cord.
What are the Treatment Options for Myelopathy?
Non-invasive options for symptom relief of Myelopathy are available, including prescription medications and physical therapy. However, if myelopathy does not respond to these treatment options, surgery may be recommended to relieve the compression of the spinal cord. Ultimately, your course of treatment depends on the underlying cause. Spinal cord compression may need to be treated surgically from the front (anterior), the back (posterior), or both. Anterior decompression includes removal of disc (discectomy) or removal of the vertebral body (corpectomy). These procedures are accompanied by either fusion or artificial disc replacement.
Posterior decompression includes removal of the lamina (roof of the spinal canal), also known as a laminectomy. This procedure may be accompanied by fusion with screws and rods. Widening of the spinal canal is also sometimes possible without complete removal of the lamina. This is known as laminoplasty.
Minimally invasive options for decompression and fusion are often available. The best treatment options for you or your loved ones should be discussed in detail with your spinal surgeon.
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