Dr. Ashish S Naik

Cervical Myelopathy

Cervical Myelopathy is a serious condition caused by the compression of the spinal cord in the cervical spine (neck). It typically results from degenerative changes such as disc herniation, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis and leads to progressive loss of function over time.

Symptoms:

• Neck stiffness and pain
• Loss of fine motor skills, particularly in the hands
• Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
• Difficulty with balance and coordination
• Clumsiness or frequent falls

Conservative Treatment Options:

1. Medications:

• NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Corticosteroids may be prescribed for short-term relief of inflammation around the spinal cord.

2. Physical Therapy:

• Exercises to improve neck mobility and strengthen supporting muscles, while also helping improve balance and coordination. In mild cases, physical therapy can help maintain function.

3. Cervical Collar:

• In some cases, a soft cervical collar may be used to limit neck movement and prevent further injury to the spinal cord.

4. Epidural Steroid Injections:

• This may be an option to reduce inflammation around the compressed spinal cord.

However, conservative treatment is typically only recommended for asymptomatic or mild cases or patients who are not fit for surgery. If neurological symptoms worsen, surgical decompression is generally recommended.