Cervical myelopathy is a serious condition where the spinal cord in the neck region becomes compressed due to various structural changes and disorders. This compression primarily stems from cervical spondylosis, characterized by disc prolapse, facetal hypertrophy, and osteophyte formation, among others. Additional causes can include ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), ossified yellow ligament (OYLL), inflammatory conditions like Ankylosing spondylitis, tumors, and infections within the cervical spine.
The condition disrupts the transmission of nerve signals from the brain to the rest of the body, manifesting in symptoms such as leg weakness, hand movement difficulties, and numbness in the hands and legs. Early signs include hand numbness, changes in handwriting, and difficulties with fine motor skills like buttoning shirts. More severe cases can lead to quadriplegia or quadriparesis, marked by a spastic or myelopathic gait, frequent urination, loss of control, and involuntary leg jerks.
Treatment Options:
Cervical myelopathy is primarily treated through surgical interventions, including cervical laminoplasty, laminectomy, lateral mass fixation, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), or corpectomy and fusion. These procedures are recommended based on the severity of the condition, assessed using MRI scans, Nurick grading, and JOA score among other diagnostic tools.
Personalized Care at Aster Whitefield:
At Aster Whitefield, we utilize a dynamic MRI to uncover hidden stenosis levels not visible in standard scans, aiding in precise surgical planning. Our approach involves selecting the optimal surgical procedure, whether anterior or posterior, to ensure effective decompression and prevent the need for future surgeries. Supported by in-house intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) and our skilled neurophysiologists, we strive to enhance patient safety and recovery, enabling most patients to walk the same day of their surgery. This level of tailored and technologically advanced care distinguishes our treatment of cervical myelopathy, ensuring optimal outcomes for our patients.
