Cervical Myelopathy Treated in Houston, Cypress & Tomball, TX
Cervical myelopathy is an injury caused by spinal nerve compression in the neck. One common type is cervical spondylotic myelopathy, which results from the gradual degeneration of the spine that often occurs with the natural aging process. For instance, a bulging or herniated disc, bone spur, or thickened ligament in the neck may encroach on the spinal canal and press on the spinal cord or a nerve root.
What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Myelopathy?
Early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment of cervical myelopathy. In addition to neck pain, this nerve injury can cause:
- A stiff neck
- Pain that radiates from the neck down through the arms and hands
- Muscle weakness in the arms and hands
- Numbness and tingling sensations in the arms, hands, and fingers
- Difficulties with fine motor skills, such as writing and handling coins and other small objects
- Loss of balance
How Is Cervical Myelopathy Treated?
Some patients find nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy and a cervical collar brace, to be helpful for relieving their cervical myelopathy symptoms. However, surgery is the only way to directly address the source of the nerve compression and prevent the symptoms from worsening.
If surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy is appropriate, a surgeon can suggest the best approach. One possible option is a laminoplasty to widen the spinal canal in the neck. Another option is a spinal decompression procedure to partially or fully remove a damaged disc, bone spur, or ossified ligament that is pressing on the spinal cord or a nerve root in the neck. Decompression surgery may be followed by a fusion procedure to stabilize the spine.
Consult With an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
R. Alexander Mohr, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who practices in Houston, Cypress, and Tomball, Texas. Dr. Mohr offers the latest treatment options for cervical myelopathy and other cervical spine conditions that cause neck pain. If you are interested in exploring your treatment options for chronic neck pain associated with cervical myelopathy, you can request an appointment to see Dr. Mohr at his office in Houston or Cypress, TX.