Myelopathy is an abnormal compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots due to disc herniation, disc degeneration, autoimmune disorders, or spinal stenosis. The compression causes nerve dysfunction along the spinal cord, resulting in loss of sensation, loss of balance, and pain in the affected area. If left untreated, Myelopathy can cause lifelong nerve damage and spinal cord injury.
Types of Myelopathy
Myelopathy can occur in any area of the spinal cord and where it occurs determines its name.
Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy is the most common form of myelopathy, occurring in the neck. Neck pain is one of the symptoms of cervical myelopathy; however, this symptom is not common in all patients.
Thoracic Myelopathy
Thoracic myelopathy occurs in the middle area of the spinal cord. Spinal cord compression in this area results from bone spurs, herniated discs, or spinal trauma.
Lumbar Myelopathy
Lumbar myelopathy occurs in the lower region of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include weakness in the hands, legs, or arms or problems with balance.
Can Myelopathy Be Cured?
Myelopathy cannot be cured; however, there are non-surgical and surgical treatments that a doctor can recommend to relieve the symptoms of myelopathy. Non-surgical treatment options are effective when myelopathy is caused by inflammation and swelling in the spinal canal. These include:
- Physical Therapy: At times, poor posture may cause myelopathy, resulting in pain and weakness in the back of the neck, which can cause spinal cord compression. Physical therapy can alleviate pain and improve function in such an instance.
- Pain Relievers: In its early stages, myelopathy may respond to pain relievers, including over-the-counter pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Surgical treatment options can relieve pressure off of the spinal cord and create more space for the spinal cord within the spinal canal. These include:
- Spinal Fusion: Spinal fusion surgery rectifies problems in any bone in the spine. This procedure involves fusing two or more vertebrae so that they heal into one solid bone. Spinal fusion can restore stability to the spine and improve motion.
- Laminectomy: A laminectomy procedure involves removing the lamina and any ligaments and bone spurs that are applying pressure on the spinal cord. Laminectomy takes the pressure off of the spine by providing space for the spine to shift back. This procedure is done with a spinal fusion using rods, screws, and bone grafts.
- Laminoplasty: Laminoplasty procedures involve thinning and cutting the lamina to create more space for the spinal cord so that a doctor can address any spine levels that are compressed. A laminoplasty can help preserve about 50% of the motion in the damaged spine areas.
If you ever need surgical or nonsurgical myelopathy treatment, New York Spine Specialist has got you covered. We offer a comprehensive set of treatments to cater to the varying needs of our patients. Whether you need non-surgical treatment for your mild symptoms or surgery for severe symptoms, you can rest easy knowing that we will establish a treatment plan aimed at getting you on a journey toward optimal health and wellness.
Can Cervical Myelopathy Heal Without Surgery?
Cervical myelopathy occurs when the spinal cord is compressed in the neck. Symptoms of cervical myelopathy may include stiffness or pain in the neck, tingling or numbness in the arms, trouble walking, or problems with fine motor skills.
In milder cases, cervical spondylotic myelopathy can be treated without surgery. The underlying goal of non-surgical treatment is to alleviate pain and improve the patient’s range of motion. Non-surgical treatment options that can help heal cervical myelopathy include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, narcotics, and epidural steroid injections.
If non-surgical treatments do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. The majority of patients with symptoms consistent with myelopathy are recommended to have surgery. At New York Spine Specialist, we do not rush to perform surgery on our patients. This is because cervical myelopathy symptoms may be mistaken for normal signs of aging. Instead, we perform further tests such as MRI scans and use the MRI results to determine which nerve roots are damaged and make a correct myelopathy diagnosis. If we discover that your condition warrants surgery, our experienced surgeons will perform the surgery with the highest level of precision and restore your cervical spine to its pre-myelopathy condition.
What Is The Best Treatment for Cervical Myelopathy?
The best myelopathy treatment methods include:
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion is one of the most common neck procedures where the damaged disc is taken out through the anterior of the neck. After that, the two vertebrae are fused to stabilize the spinal cord.
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy surgery takes out the discs above and below the affected areas in the cervical spine.
Posterior Cervical Laminoplasty surgery trims off an affected lamina and reconstructs the bone to create more space in the spinal canal.
Posterior Cervical Laminectomy surgery removes the lamina, allowing you to keep your normal neck flexibility.
Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy surgery requires the surgeon to go through the back of the cervical spine to remove affected discs or abnormal bones.
Spinal Decompression surgery is ideal in cases where bone spurs apply pressure on the spinal cord. In such cases, the doctor may remove parts of or the entire vertebrae to treat the condition.
Is Myelopathy a Disability?
Myelopathy is not a disability; however, it is a well-known cause of disability among seniors. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the leading cause of myelopathy in seniors and the main cause of spasticity in the senior population.
At New York Spine Specialist, we specialize in the intervention treatment of complex and common issues related to the spine. Our team consists of specialists committed to developing interventions and performing procedures to alleviate symptoms from spine-related conditions such as neck pain, pinched nerves, and fractures. Do not let severe pain be a norm in your life. Contact us today and let us help you achieve optimal health.
Now that you have found New York Spine Specialist, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that our top doctors can treat any spine-related injury. We know the leading causes of myelopathy and can successfully establish a diagnosis that will have you back on your feet in no time. Feel free to visit any of our physical locations, which are upholding all Covid 19 guidelines and protocols to guarantee your safety. We are ready to help you overcome any pain and achieve a high quality of life.
