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What are the symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy?

What are the symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy?

Symptoms

  • Tingling or numbness in the arms, fingers, or hands.
  • Weakness in the muscles of the arms, shoulders, or hands. You may have trouble grasping and holding on to items.
  • Imbalance and other coordination problems.
  • Loss of fine motor skills.
  • Pain or stiffness in the neck.

Can cervical myelopathy affect breathing?

Does chronic cervical myelopathy affect respiratory function? Object. Although respiratory function is often impaired by acute cervical spinal cord injury, changes in respiratory function in patients with chronic cervical myelopathy (CCM) are not well documented.

What is multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy?

Multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) is often caused by the compression of degenerated facet joints, hypertrophic or ossificated ligamentum flavum, or degenerated bulging disks. When MCSM is combined with CKD, the spinal cord can be compressed circumferentially.

What is cervical spondylosis with myelopathy?

Cervical spondylosis with cervical myelopathy, commonly referred to as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), refers to impaired function of the spinal cord caused by degenerative changes of the discs and facet joints in the cervical spine (neck).

What are the final stages of cervical spinal 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.

Can myelopathy cause breathing problems?

Object: Although respiratory function is often impaired by acute cervical spinal cord injury, changes in respiratory function in patients with chronic cervical myelopathy (CCM) are not well documented.

Why would a person with a spinal cord injury at C6 be able to breathe without a ventilator?

The ability to contract and release the intercostal and abdominal muscles is eliminated in most cases of C6 spinal cord injuries. These muscles play a significant role in respiratory functions, as each muscle group is involved with the sequencing of contraction.

What are the causes of cervical spondylotic myelopathy?

Age-related changes in the spinal column result in a degenerative cascade known as spondylosis. Genetic, environmental, and occupational influences may play a role. These spondylotic changes may result in direct compressive and ischemic dysfunction of the spinal cord known as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Are there any Nonsurgical options for cervical myelopathy?

Cervical Myelopathy Treatment. There are some nonsurgical options for relieving cervical myelopathy symptoms, including physical therapy and a cervical collar brace. However, to eliminate the compression of the spinal cord and prevent worsening of the condition, surgery is often necessary.

What are the symptoms of cervical myelopathy in the neck?

Cervical myelopathy produces two types of symptoms: the ones you may feel in the neck, and the ones appearing elsewhere in the body at or below the compressed area of the spinal cord. The neck symptoms may include:

Can a herniated disc cause cervical myelopathy?

Some people are born with a narrow spinal canal (congenital spinal stenosis) and may experience myelopathy sooner than others if further narrowing occurs. Bulging or herniated discs and bone spurs in the neck are other forms of spinal degeneration that can press on the spinal cord and cause myelopathy.