Myelopathy

Myelopathy Treatment Near Me in New York

A spine compression injury is no joke. Call New York Spine Specialist right away if you’re experiencing myelopathy symptoms and want to explore solutions.

Is your spinal cord condition causing you pain, affecting your range of motion, or becoming life-altering in a bad way? Advanced myelopathy treatment from New York Spine Specialist could be the way to go.

A spinal injury or disease can affect more than just the bones, ligaments, and structural components of the spine. The spinal column houses the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that control your sensory function and movement. Anything that causes compression of the spinal cord can result in severe pain, debilitating stiffness, and many other symptoms, so it’s best to seek treatment. 

As New York’s top spine specialist, we offer a range of myelopathy (spine compression) treatment options, including surgery. A pain-free life is possible.

What do locals think about New York Spine Specialist? Find out from our testimonials. 

Signs and Symptoms of Myelopathy—New York

Myelopathy can occur in any part of the spine, but it’s most common in the cervical spine (the neck). The location of the nerve compression determines the exact symptoms. However, it will usually entail stiffness or neck pain that limits your range of motion. 

Other symptoms may include:

• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs
• Difficulty with fine motor skills 
• Shooting pains down the arms and legs
• Muscle spasms
• General weakness or fatigue

In the early stages, patients may not notice symptoms. However, it’s important to seek myelopathy treatment at the first sign of any persistent back or neck pain to halt further damage. 

What Causes Myelopathy?

Stenosis, or a narrowing of the spinal column due to age-related degeneration, is the most common reason for myelopathy. Experts estimate that five out of every 1,000 people over the age of 50 have spinal stenosis, and the numbers will increase over the next decade. 

Other potential causes of myelopathy in New York patients include the following:

• Herniated discs
• Bone spurs 
• Whiplash
• Arthritis
• Ossification 
• Spinal infections
• Trauma
• Spinal tumors, both benign and cancerous

Being overweight, smoking, and using bad lifting mechanics also cause nerve compression issues.

Degenerative Myelopathy Treatment

New York Spine Specialist typically recommends non-surgical myelopathy treatment, such as medication, physical therapy, or injections. If symptoms continue, surgery may follow.

Surgical myelopathy treatment improves your quality of life. One study found that about 75% of patients reported improvement after surgery for degenerative myelopathy treatment, and New York Spine Specialist offers several options, such as:

• Laminoplasty: widens the spinal column
• Spinal fusion: fuses vertebrae to limit movement in one section of the spine
• Spinal decompression: alleviates pressure 
• Foraminotomy: enlarges the area around a spinal bone
• Discectomy: removes disc material from the spine
• Disc replacement surgery: replaces a damaged disc with a new one

Your New York spine doctor will review the options with you, whether that’s to manage cervical myelopathy treatment or a problem lower on your spine.

Start your journey to heal neck and back pain—contact us for an appointment today.

Get Lumbar, Thoracic, or Cervical Myelopathy Treatment Today From New York Spine Specialist

Do you have symptoms of myelopathy in any area of your back or neck? Chat with New York Spine Specialist at (516) 355-0111 or schedule an appointment online. Same-day appointments may be available, and our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection).

FAQs About Myelopathy Treatment 

What Happens If I Don’t Seek Treatment for Myelopathy?

If you don’t seek treatment for myelopathy, you will likely experience worsening pain and other symptoms. In severe cases, neglecting treatment can lead to permanent spinal cord damage and even paralysis. Other potentially serious problems of ignoring myelopathy include the following:

• Bladder and bowel dysfunction
• Loss of sensation in your limbs
• Respiratory problems. 

Is Surgery the Only Treatment Option for Myelopathy?

No, surgery is not the only treatment option for myelopathy. In fact, only about 25% of people with myelopathy require surgery for relief of their debilitating symptoms. The rest can often manage the effects of myelopathy via less invasive methods, medication, and physical therapy, particularly if they get care in the early stages.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Myelopathy?

Doctors diagnose myelopathy by thoroughly reviewing your symptoms, examining your spine, and testing your strength, reflexes, and range of motion. The most effective way to identify myelopathy is via an MRI. Imaging tests usually confirm the diagnosis before your New York doctor creates a myelopathy treatment plan.

If you want a comprehensive exam, diagnosis, and treatment for spine pain caused by myelopathy, New York Spine Specialist has everything you need.

OVERVIEW

Myelopathy is a condition that refers to compression of the spinal cord and the resulting damage of the spinal nerves. This can interrupt the nerve transmissions and impair their function. It frequently occurs in the cervical (neck) region and becomes more common as we age.

There are numerous causes for myelopathy including trauma, autoimmune or inflammatory disorders, tumors and degenerative diseases such as herniated disks and spondylosis. Anything that can result in spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, can bring about myelopathy.

MYELOPATHY

WE CAN HELP!

The most effective treatment for myelopathy is conventionally minimal invasive surgery to decompress the spinal canal, prevent further progression of the myelopathy and provide some relief from the symptoms. There are several procedures that are used to treat myelopathy, depending upon its location, the alignment of the spine, and other considerations.  Meeting with one of our spinal specialists will help determine the best course of action to take in order to get you back on track to living pain free.