Dr. Paresh Bang | Matruchhaya Spine Clinic
Surgery for cervical myelopathy is aimed at relieving pressure on the spinal cord in the neck region (cervical spine) to prevent further neurological damage and potentially restore some function. Cervical myelopathy occurs when there is compression of the spinal cord due to conditions like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, bone spurs, or degenerative disc disease.
Surgery is typically recommended when:
The symptoms of cervical myelopathy Trusted Source will typically start in the area of your neck. Early signs of cervical myelopathy include neck pain or stiffness.
If cervical myelopathy is untreated, the compression of the spinal cord will start to have neurological effects as well. This can cause more severe symptoms as time goes on, including:
Cervical myelopathy typically occurs due to:
The goal of surgery for cervical myelopathy is to decompress (relieve pressure on) the spinal cord and stabilize the spine to prevent further neurological damage. The specific type of surgery depends on the underlying cause and location of the compression.
As with any surgery, there are a risks, including:
While surgery is often the best option for moderate to severe cases of cervical myelopathy, conservative treatments may be tried in early or mild cases. These include:
Surgery is generally indicated in the case of progressive symptoms with evidence of spinal cord compression. Without treatment, cervical myelopathy may lead to irreversible neurological deficits and the procedure helps retain as much function as possible while preventing further deterioration.
Surgery for cervical myelopathy is typically recommended when neurological symptoms are worsening or when spinal cord compression is severe. The goal is to decompress the spinal cord, relieve symptoms, and prevent permanent damage. With advances in surgical techniques, most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life after the procedure. However, the choice of surgery depends on the severity of the condition, the number of spinal levels affected, or overall health.
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