Pronounced: SIR-veh-cal My-eh-LOP-ah-thee
Cervical myelopathy is damage to the spinal cord. The cervical spine begins at the base of the skull. It extends to the first seven vertebrae. There can be a block of the signals between the brain and the body. Motor and sensory functions may be affected.
Cervical myelopathy is caused by:
These factors increase your chance of developing this condition:
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to cervical myelopathy. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical exam, focusing on any muscle weakness. In addition, a neurological exam may be done, which assesses:
Tests may include:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. This may involve:
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:
Your doctor may recommend that you do:
Your doctor may prescribe:
While it is difficult to prevent this condition, following these guidelines can help to prevent accidents and strains:
RESOURCES:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
http://www.spinalcord.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian & American Spinal Research Organization
http://www.csro.com/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
References:
Cervical myelopathy. The Spine Center at Johns Hopkins website. Available at: http://hopkinsneuro.org/spine/disease.cfm/condition/Cervical_Myelopathy . Accessed November 20, 2008.
Check for safety: a home fall prevention checklist for older adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/Falls_ToolKit/DesktopPDF/English/booklet_Eng_desktop.pdf . Accessed November 13, 2008.
Huber L. Cervical myelopathy. EBSCO Rehabilitation Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=860. Updated October 2008. Accessed November 10, 2008.
Kaplan R. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy. EBSCO Publishing Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=860 . Updated August 2007. Accessed November 9, 2008.
Matsushima T, Yaoita H, Nagano T, Watanabe K. Operated family cases of cervical canal stenosis. International Congress Series. 2004;1259:465-469.
Pollard H, Hansen L Hoskins W. Cervical stenosis in a professional rugby league football player: a case report. Chiropractic & Osteopathy. 2005;13:15.
Spondylolysis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated August 2008. Accessed December 7, 2008.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary . 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005;1270.
Young WB. Clinical diagnosis of myelopathy. Sem Ultrasound, CT, MRI. 1994;15:250-254.
Young WF. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in older persons. American Family Physician website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000901/1064.html . Published September 2000. Accessed November 20, 2008.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Rimas Lukas, MD
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.
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