Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. This may involve:

• Treating the underlying cause of the myelopathy
• Restoring functions that you have lost
• Reducing or managing pain
• Doing strengthening exercises
• Teaching you ways to reduce injuries
• Helping you learn ways to cope with the condition

Surgery

If there is structural pressure on the spinal cord, you may need surgery right away. This is to attempt to avoid permanent injury. There are many different kinds of surgery and procedures to stabilize the neck, such as:

• Diskectomy—a surgical procedure to remove part of an intervertebral disc that is putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root
• Laminectomy—a surgical procedure to remove a portion of a vertebra, called the lamina
• Fusion of the vertebrae

Cervical Fusion

Screws and a plate prevent the vertebrae from putting pressure on the spinal cord.

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Nonsurgical Approaches

Your doctor may recommend that you do:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Other approaches, such as ultrasound therapy, heat therapy, electrical stimulation

Medication

Your doctor may prescribe:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• Corticosteroids

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2023 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.