Understanding Myelopathy

myelopathystenosisspinal cord compression

Jun 27

What is Myelopathy?

If you've been experiencing weakness, numbness, or balance, or coordination problems, you might be wondering what's going on. One possible culprit could be myelopathy.

Simply put, myelopathy is a condition that affects the spinal cord. Think of your spinal cord as a superhighway that carries messages between your brain and the rest of your body. When something goes wrong with this highway, it can lead to all kinds of issues.

Causes of Myelopathy

Myelopathy can happen for various reasons. It might be due to wear and tear on the spine as we age (called degenerative myelopathy), a herniated disc putting pressure on the spinal cord, or even a spinal injury from an accident. Other less common causes include infections or tumors.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

The symptoms of myelopathy can vary depending on where the problem is in your spine and how severe it is. Common symptoms include:

Weakness or clumsiness in your hands
- Dropping things
- Difficulty opening jars/cans/water bottles
- Difficulty buttoning shirts, putting on jewelry (e.g., clasping necklace, putting on earrings)
- Difficulty with dexterity
- ***Patients often blame this on hand arthritis and ignore the symptoms. These symptoms can get better if properly diagnosed and fixed!***
Numbness or tingling in your arms/hands, legs/feet
Bowel/bladder issues (e.g., incontinence)
Problems with coordination and balance
- Difficulty walking or feeling unsteady on your feet (e.g., patients feel wobbly, have to hold onto a significant other, need the use of a cane/walker, have to hold onto walls, etc.)
- ***Patients often blame this on old age. Again, many patients have had significant improvement in their symptoms if diagnosed and addressed***

Diagnosis and Treatment

We will likely start by asking about your symptoms and medical history. Then we will perform a physical exam. With severe myelopathy, you may have hyperreflexia (increased reflexes compared to normal). We will order tests such as MRI scans to get a closer look at your spine to see if there is stenosis (pinching of the spinal cord or nerves).

Treatment for myelopathy depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. The most common cause of myelopathy is due to degenerative aging of the spine and resulting stenosis. If the stenosis is bad enough where you have myelopathy symptoms, surgery is recommended to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Surgery goal would be to REVERSE some of the symptoms (make you better) and PREVENT PROGRESSION (so you don’t get worse).

Takeaway

Myelopathy might sound intimidating, but understanding what it is and how it can be treated is the first step towards feeling better. If you're experiencing symptoms like weakness, numbness, or coordination problems, don't ignore them. Talk to your doctor and get the help you need to get back on the road to health.

Remember, you're not alone, and there are treatments available to help you manage myelopathy and live your best life.

Schedule a consultation and we’ll figure out how to get you better.