What are Myelopathic symptoms?
Symptoms of Myelopathy When the spinal cord is compressed or injured, it may cause a loss of sensation, loss of function, and pain or discomfort in the area at or below the compression point. Myelopathy symptoms may include: Neck, arm, leg or lower back pain.
What are Myelopathic changes?
Symptoms of Myelopathy Pain in the lower back, neck, arm or leg. Tingling, numbness or weakness. Decreased fine motor skills, balance, and coordination. Abnormal or increased reflexes in extremities.
Is cervical spinal stenosis a serious condition?
Myelopathy describes any neurologic symptoms related to the spinal cord and is a serious condition. It occurs from spinal stenosis that causes pressure on the spinal cord. If untreated, this can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death.
When should I be concerned about cervical stenosis?
When Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy is Serious. Early symptoms of cervical myelopathy include changes in coordination or fine motor skills of the arms, weakness/numbness in the arms or legs, or problems with balance. These should be taken seriously and checked out by a doctor.
What are the final stages of cervical stenosis?
As the condition progresses, weakness of the arms and hands can occur with loss of coordination. Also, in advanced stages of cervical stenosis, problems with bowel and bladder function can result, in addition to weakness and numbness in the legs and feet, which can cause difficulty walking.
How do they fix cervical stenosis?
For patients with cervical stenosis with myelopathy, the only effective treatment option is surgery to decompress the spinal cord. One type of this kind of surgery is a posterior cervical laminectomy.
What should you not do if you have cervical stenosis?
Habits to Avoid if You Have Spinal Stenosis
- Don’t Keep Waiting for it to Disappear. If you think spinal stenosis is just like any other back pain that goes away on its own, you are wrong.
- Don’t Focus on the Inflammation.
- Limit Flexion Exercises.
- Stop Focusing on Surgery.
Can you live a normal life with cervical spinal stenosis?
The tightness can pinch the spinal cord or the nerves around it, causing pain, tingling, or numbness in your legs, arms, or torso. There’s no cure, but there are a variety of nonsurgical treatments and exercises to keep the pain at bay. Most people with spinal stenosis live normal lives.
Can you live with cervical stenosis?
Can you be paralyzed from cervical spinal stenosis?
In severe cases, cervical stenosis can cause major body weakness or even paralysis if the spinal cord is damaged.