Cervical myelopathy is usually a slow, progressive spinal disease that causes major spinal cord dysfunction. Cervical myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord in the cervical (neck) region of the spine resulting in symptoms in the arms including:

• Clumsiness in the arms, hands, or fingers
• Loss of dexterity- difficulty performing fine motor skill like combing the hair, holding small object, difficulty with handwriting or buttoning clothes or distinguishing different coin sizes.
• Pain or stiffness in the neck
• Radiating pain into the trapezius muscles, the muscles that extend from the back of the head to the neck,
• Radiating pain to the back of the ears
• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms, hands, fingers and legs
• Balance problems and tendency to stumble or fall
• Bowel or bladder incontinence are rare and usually appear late in disease

The symptoms of cervical myelopathy can be subtle at first, with patients not noticing the problems, but can progress without treatment to functional decline and loss of function. Studies report that early surgical decompression can achieve good recovery of nervous system.

The primary cause of cervical myelopathy is spinal cord compression from the natural aging process, gradual degeneration of the spine that leads to spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck. These degenerative changes are usually called arthritis that produces bone spurs as the discs degenerate. Another important cause is hardening of the ligaments surrounding the spinal cord. Cervical myelopathy can also involve enlargement of the facet joints in the cervical spine, and degeneration of the cervical discs.

Each of these contributes to the narrowing or compression of the spinal cord. In addition, injury to the neck can cause spinal cord compression. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause spinal cord compression. Further, patients born with a narrow spinal canal (congenital stenosis) may be at increased risk of cervical myelopathy.

Cervical myelopathy is an extremely serious condition that may place patients at risk of neurologic deterioration and should be evaluated by a spinal surgeon specializing in the treatment of complex cervical disorders such as Chicago spine surgeon, Dr. Kern Singh.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is diagnosed through a combination of a thorough review of your medical history, a comprehensive physical exam and diagnostic tests. Imaging studies including x-rays can show bone spurs, narrowed disc spacing, and other degenerative bone changes. An MRI is important to visualize the cervical spine and soft tissues to identify any compression of the spinal cord. When an MRI shows a compressed and inflamed spinal cord, it confirms a diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.