Myelopathy
You may be a candidate for Cervical disc replacement
Myelopathy
The spine, often referred to as the “backbone”, is comprised of a complex system of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. Besides supporting the weight of the upper body and facilitating movement, one of the spinal column’s most important functions is to house and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerve fibers connected to the brain and brain stem. Its main function is to transmit information to the body’s peripheral nervous system. Without a properly functioning spinal cord, the brain and the body cannot communicate effectively. For this reason, patients sustaining spinal cord damage may face severe disability, paralysis or life-threatening complications. Motor function, sensory abilities and other important aspects of health can decline or even disappear if the spinal cord becomes damaged.
The term “myelopathy” refers to the loss of spinal cord activity as the result of sudden injury or the natural degeneration of the spine. It is necessary to treat myelopathy proactively to maintain your quality of life and prevent the dangerous deterioration of the spinal cord. If you believe you or a loved one may be experiencing myelopathy, schedule a consultation with one of our highly experienced spine surgeons today to prevent this serious condition from progressing.
Causes
The spinal cord is most frequently endangered by degenerative changes to the spine, such as spinal stenosis and disc protrusions or herniations. As we age, our spines lose water content and slowly reveal the consequences of years of everyday use and stress. Several age-related spine conditions can result in pressure being placed upon the spinal cord. In addition to the degeneration of the spine, some of the most commonly occurring causes of myelopathy are:
- Benign or cancerous tumors that compress the spinal cord
- Bone spurs
- A dislocation fracture
- A traumatic injury, as might occur during a motor vehicle accident, hard fall or high-impact sport
- Autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis
- Genetic predisposition or congenital abnormality
Annular Tear Symptoms
Usually, patients do not realize they have an annular tear until they begin to encounter symptoms of another condition that has developed as a result of the injury, such as the symptoms associated with a herniated disc or a compressed nerve. If you suspect you may be sustaining an annular tear, the following indicators may corroborate your speculations:
- Back and leg pain that may be mild or severe
- Discomfort that travels the length of a nerve
- Pain that becomes worse when sitting, sneezing, coughing, lifting or bending forward
- Numbness and weakness in the affected area and associated limbs
- Tingling and pins-and-needles sensations in the back, groin, legs or arms
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing myelopathy, including:
- Smoking
- Age (the elderly are especially likely to encounter myelopathy)
- The abuse of alcohol
- Excess weight or obesity
- Participating in intense sports or physical activities, such as gymnastics or football
- A lack of exercise
- Making repetitive, strenuous movements (often an issue at jobs requiring highly physical or manual labor)
- Improperly lifting heavy objects
If you suspect you may be at risk for developing myelopathy, schedule a consultation with one of our spine experts to discuss the best ways to minimize your risk and maintain the highest level of spinal cord functioning possible. Your spinal cord is crucial to your health and well-being, so it is of the utmost importance to promptly take care of it when issues or injuries arise.
Symptoms
- Pain in the shoulders and arms
- Tingling, numbness or “pins-and-needles” sensations in the arms and legs
- Trouble balancing, especially when attempting to walk
- A heavy feeling in the legs and an inability to move quickly
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty writing
- Problems turning or bending the neck or back
- Lightheadedness
- Problems with hand-eye coordination, as you may notice when attempting to get dressed or perform other daily activities
- Irregular, spasmodic movements
- Changes in sexual functioning
- Bowel or bladder complications
- Fatigue or frailty in the limbs
- The feeling that the limbs are being shocked or electrified
Generally, the symptoms of myelopathy will increase and intensify over time. Receiving quick and professional medical attention is extremely important to avoid irreparable spinal cord damage. At Microspine, Dr. T and his team are committed to identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms and providing the safest and most optimal solutions.
Our Minimally Invasive Treatment Approach
- Shortened recovery times that allow patients to return to work and other daily activities more quickly
- Less post-operative pain
- A reduced risk of scarring, blood loss or trauma to muscles and surrounding soft tissues
- Fewer potential complications
Because Dr. T is well-versed in both minimally invasive and traditional procedures, we are able to provide an open surgery if your unique case of myelopathy requires this approach.
We look forward to helping you feel better, faster! CONTACT US