Are numbness, hand clumsiness, balance problems, or weakness making daily activities more difficult? These could be signs of myelopathy. Dr. Seth Grossman, our board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, prioritizes non-surgical care whenever appropriate, while offering advanced surgical solutions when necessary to help protect your spinal cord and quality of life.
Relieve Pressure on Your Spinal Cord
Myelopathy is a condition caused by compression of the spinal cord, most commonly in the cervical (neck) spine. As pressure on the spinal cord increases, the communication between your brain and body can become disrupted, leading to symptoms such as weakness, numbness, balance problems, coordination difficulties, and changes in hand function. Because spinal cord compression can worsen over time, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important to help prevent permanent neurological damage.
Signs & Symptoms of Myelopathy:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Difficulty with balance or walking
- Clumsiness or loss of hand coordination
- Trouble with fine motor tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or writing
- Changes in reflexes, including overactive reflexes
- Muscle stiffness or spasticity
- Electric shock-like sensations that travel down the spine with certain neck movements
- Loss of bowel or bladder control in advanced cases
Procedures for Myelopathy
Dr. Grossman carefully evaluates the cause, location, and severity of your spinal cord compression before recommending any treatment. After reviewing your symptoms, imaging studies, neurological function, and overall health, he develops a personalized treatment plan to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, preserve neurological function, and help you return to your daily activities. Treatment may include the following surgical and non-surgical options.
ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion)
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is often recommended for herniated discs in the neck that compress spinal nerves or the spinal cord. Using a small incision at the front of the neck, Dr. Grossman removes the damaged cervical disc to relieve pressure on nearby nerves. The empty disc space is then stabilized with a bone graft or spacer and secured with a small plate and screws, allowing the vertebrae to naturally fuse and stabilize over time.
Laminectomy / Decompression
A laminectomy is performed to create additional space for the spinal cord by removing part or all of the lamina, the bony covering at the back of the vertebra. This relieves pressure caused by spinal stenosis, thickened ligaments, or bone overgrowth. Depending on your condition, spinal stabilization may also be recommended if instability is present. The procedure helps reduce spinal cord compression while helping preserve neurological function and mobility.
Laminoplasty
Laminoplasty is a motion-preserving procedure used to treat cervical spinal cord compression. Rather than removing the lamina, Dr. Grossman carefully reshapes and repositions it to enlarge the spinal canal, creating more room for the spinal cord. Small plates or spacers help hold the bone in its new position while it heals. Because the vertebrae are not fused, laminoplasty may preserve more natural neck movement in appropriately selected patients.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Not every case of myelopathy requires immediate surgery. Depending on your symptoms and the root cause, Dr. Grossman may recommend conservative treatment to help support spinal stability. Physical therapy can strengthen the supporting muscles and improve mobility, while a cervical collar or brace may temporarily limit neck movement to reduce irritation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be used to decrease inflammation and relieve pain as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Dr. Seth Grossman is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon dedicated to delivering personalized, patient-first care for individuals with spinal cord disorders. Serving patients throughout New Jersey, he prioritizes conservative treatment when appropriate while offering advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic-assisted surgical solutions when necessary. If you’re experiencing symptoms of myelopathy, schedule a consultation to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your needs.
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