Why does cervical myelopathy occur?

Cervical myelopathy is a condition where the spinal cord is affected in the cervical spine. It is most often caused by the spinal cord being compressed due to age-related changes in tissues and bones. Sometimes, large herniated discs in the cervical spine can impact the spinal cord, but this is less common. Myelopathy primarily affects the older segment of the population.

What are the symptoms?

Pain is rarely the primary reason for seeking medical attention. Often, the symptoms are quite nonspecific and elusive at the beginning. In most cases, symptoms develop gradually over a long period, which means that people do not always seek medical care immediately.

Widespread sensory loss, impaired fine motor skills in the hands, and difficulty walking are symptoms that may indicate spinal cord involvement (myelopathy).

What treatments are available?

Whether and how surgery should be performed depends on several factors and must be discussed with your surgeon. The procedure can be performed from the front or the back, depending on where the compression is located and how extensive it is. Sometimes, fusion of certain segments might also be considered.

Are there any risks with surgery?

The prognosis of the surgery varies and largely depends on how damaged the spinal cord is. The spinal cord does not always recover, and there is a certain risk of deterioration due to surgery.

A clear risk factor that you can influence is smoking. If you are a smoker, you have a higher risk of complications such as infection and failed healing. Quitting smoking significantly increases your chances of a successful treatment outcome. Good support is available to help you quit smoking.

Hospital Stay and Sick Leave

You will come to us on the morning of the surgery day. The length of the hospital stay largely depends on the type of procedure performed and can vary from 1-2 days.

How long will I need to be off work?

The length of sick leave after surgery depends on your job, but it typically ranges from 1-3 months.

What does rehabilitation involve?

Since the symptoms of cervical myelopathy often vary, the rehabilitation is specifically tailored to the symptoms you are experiencing. As a natural part of your recovery, we at RKC develop an individual rehabilitation plan. All our physiotherapists have extensive experience in treating, diagnosing, and rehabilitating spinal conditions and back pain.