Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical Myelopathy is a condition of compression on the spinal cord, usually in the cervical spine. This is similar to a pinched nerve, radiculopathy, but it involves the central canal and the spinal cord, not just one root. The most common symptoms are generalized weakness, loss of coordination or dexterity, difficulty walking, ataxia, or loss of balance. It usually progresses slowly, possibly with episodes of worsening, but on rare occasions, this can lead to severe neurologic complications, even paralysis.
The diagnosis is made by a careful neurologic exam and confirmed by the MRI scan. More than 15 mm. is expected for the canal on a routine MRI scan. If the symptoms are early and the MRI shows mild Stenosis, (10 to 13 mm of space), the treatment can include PT, traction or a collar to protect the spinal cord. When to canal available to the spinal cord is less than 10mm, there is no extra room for the nerves and this becomes risky for a neurologic deficit. When the canal is severely compromised, surgery is recommended to protect the spinal cord.