Cervical Myelopathy Treatment in Singapore [Health & Fitness]
Explaining Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy is a degenerative disorder brought on by compression of the cervical spinal cord. Some of the problems that might result in this compression include herniated discs, degenerative diseases, severe spinal traumas, congenital constriction of the spinal canal in the neck, and degenerative diseases.
The seven vertebrae of the cervical spine are connected by intervertebral discs, which serve as "cushions" or "shock absorbers" between the vertebrae (bones). Facet joints, so named because they connect the bones, are covered in cartilage. The bones are joined to one another by ligaments as well. The neck can move because of these components, which also regulate flexibility and stability.
What leads to cervical myelopathy?
There are numerous causes of cervical myelopathy, including:
Progressing illness (cervical spinal stenosis with spinal cord compression)
As we age, the discs, joints, bones, and ligaments in our spine may deteriorate, and bone spurs may also develop. The spinal canal through which the spinal cord travels may contract due to these degenerative processes, potentially compressing the spinal cord. These alterations may result in the compression of the nerve roots, which could shrink the foramina—the openings where the nerve roots leave the spine—in the process. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the name given to the signs and symptoms of this particular form of spinal cord compression. Adults over 50 are more likely to have cervical spondylotic myelopathy, which is an age-related disorder.
Herniated disc
When some of the disc's interior elements leak out, the disc herniates. A flexible, jelly-like inside and a hard, rubbery exterior make up the spinal disc. The jelly-like contents of a herniated spinal disc can aggravate and put pressure on nearby nerves. Furthermore, cervical myelopathy and spinal cord compression could manifest. Physical strain from strenuous activities like heavy lifting or demanding sports can result in a herniated spinal disc.
Spinal canal constriction that is congenital
Some people have constrained spinal canals from birth, which increases their risk of developing cervical myelopathy issues in later life.
Injury to or trauma to the cervical spine
Each damage to the spine has the potential to affect the spinal cord. Spinal fractures or instability may be to blame for this. Injuries can occasionally happen even in the absence of a fracture or spinal instability. A person is more likely to sustain an injury following a fall or accident if they already have spinal canal compression and/or spinal cord compression as a result of disc herniation or a degenerative disease (often without any symptoms). Trauma of any severity has the ability to degrade.
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
The posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine is more prone to ossification (or hardening) (OPLL). This ligament protects the discs located within the spinal canal as well as the posterior surfaces of the vertebrae. The ligament can result in cervical myelopathy and gradual spinal cord compression as it grows larger, less flexible, and bone-like, taking up more space inside the spinal canal.
Other components
Cervical myelopathy can also result from less frequent reasons such spinal infections and cancer. Myelopathy can also be brought on by other neurological conditions, autoimmune disorders, and certain inflammatory diseases. They are frequently not caused by spinal cord compression.
What signs of cervical myelopathy are present?
Common symptoms of cervical myelopathy include stiffness and reduced range of motion in the neck, which are linked to cervical spine deterioration. Compression of the spinal cord is a factor in the development of cervical myelopathy symptoms. Patients with spinal cord compression frequently experience nerve root compression, and these patients may exhibit symptoms of both illnesses. The following are some indications:
Other components
- Making it difficult to make little hand movements (loss of dexterity)
- Hands and feet that are numb
- Leg coordination issues could make walking challenging or cause falls.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
There is pressure on the nerve roots (Radiculopathy)
soreness in the neck that extends down the arm (usually on one side but can be both sides). There are instances when the agony can be unbearable.
tingling, numbness, or a "pins and needles" feeling down the arm. It commonly occurs in conjunction with agony, and its distribution mirrors that of pain.
Weakness in the hands, fingers, or arms, either one or both
The signs and symptoms of cervical myelopathy frequently develop worse with time. Any symptom deterioration could happen gradually or suddenly (acute deterioration can occur with even minor trauma)
Individuals who are susceptible to cervical myelopathy
Age
Although cervical myelopathy is frequently caused by spinal degeneration, age is still the greatest risk factor.
Lifestyle
Moreover, variables related to your lifestyle can influence your risk of developing cervical myelopathy. Cervical myelopathy risk may be decreased by leading an active, healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, and consuming less alcohol.
Cervical myelopathy: How is it identified?
Cervical myelopathy symptoms can coexist with those of a number of other diseases. It's common to write off symptoms as unavoidable aspects of aging. Your doctor's diagnosis will typically be based on the findings of a clinical assessment, which includes a thorough history taking (paying particular attention to when your problems started, how your symptoms changed over time, and whether you recently sustained any injuries, etc.) and a physical examination. An MRI scan frequently confirms the clinical impression.
In Singapore, what medical techniques are utilized to treat cervical myelopathy?
Nonsurgical Alternatives
For minor situations, non-surgical therapy approaches might be investigated and shown to be successful. To alleviate the symptoms, this would necessitate both physical therapy and medicine.
Medical procedures
In order to protect the spinal cord and increase your chances of recovery, Dr. Nolan, a cervical myelopathy specialist from Oxford Spine may advise surgical therapy if your spinal cord is severely compressed and you are experiencing more severe symptoms. Depending on the precise issue, these surgical procedures might be carried out from either the front or the back of your neck. Surgery is performed to free the spinal cord from pressure and, if necessary, to stabilize the spine.
Cervical myelopathy is a degenerative disorder brought on by compression of the cervical spinal cord. Some of the problems that might result in this compression include herniated discs, degenerative diseases, severe spinal traumas, congenital constriction of the spinal canal in the neck, and degenerative diseases.
The seven vertebrae of the cervical spine are connected by intervertebral discs, which serve as "cushions" or "shock absorbers" between the vertebrae (bones). Facet joints, so named because they connect the bones, are covered in cartilage. The bones are joined to one another by ligaments as well. The neck can move because of these components, which also regulate flexibility and stability.
What leads to cervical myelopathy?
There are numerous causes of cervical myelopathy, including:
Progressing illness (cervical spinal stenosis with spinal cord compression)
As we age, the discs, joints, bones, and ligaments in our spine may deteriorate, and bone spurs may also develop. The spinal canal through which the spinal cord travels may contract due to these degenerative processes, potentially compressing the spinal cord. These alterations may result in the compression of the nerve roots, which could shrink the foramina—the openings where the nerve roots leave the spine—in the process. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the name given to the signs and symptoms of this particular form of spinal cord compression. Adults over 50 are more likely to have cervical spondylotic myelopathy, which is an age-related disorder.
Herniated disc
When some of the disc's interior elements leak out, the disc herniates. A flexible, jelly-like inside and a hard, rubbery exterior make up the spinal disc. The jelly-like contents of a herniated spinal disc can aggravate and put pressure on nearby nerves. Furthermore, cervical myelopathy and spinal cord compression could manifest. Physical strain from strenuous activities like heavy lifting or demanding sports can result in a herniated spinal disc.
Spinal canal constriction that is congenital
Some people have constrained spinal canals from birth, which increases their risk of developing cervical myelopathy issues in later life.
Injury to or trauma to the cervical spine
Each damage to the spine has the potential to affect the spinal cord. Spinal fractures or instability may be to blame for this. Injuries can occasionally happen even in the absence of a fracture or spinal instability. A person is more likely to sustain an injury following a fall or accident if they already have spinal canal compression and/or spinal cord compression as a result of disc herniation or a degenerative disease (often without any symptoms). Trauma of any severity has the ability to degrade.
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
The posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine is more prone to ossification (or hardening) (OPLL). This ligament protects the discs located within the spinal canal as well as the posterior surfaces of the vertebrae. The ligament can result in cervical myelopathy and gradual spinal cord compression as it grows larger, less flexible, and bone-like, taking up more space inside the spinal canal.
Other components
Cervical myelopathy can also result from less frequent reasons such spinal infections and cancer. Myelopathy can also be brought on by other neurological conditions, autoimmune disorders, and certain inflammatory diseases. They are frequently not caused by spinal cord compression.
What signs of cervical myelopathy are present?
Common symptoms of cervical myelopathy include stiffness and reduced range of motion in the neck, which are linked to cervical spine deterioration. Compression of the spinal cord is a factor in the development of cervical myelopathy symptoms. Patients with spinal cord compression frequently experience nerve root compression, and these patients may exhibit symptoms of both illnesses. The following are some indications:
Other components
- Making it difficult to make little hand movements (loss of dexterity)
- Hands and feet that are numb
- Leg coordination issues could make walking challenging or cause falls.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
There is pressure on the nerve roots (Radiculopathy)
soreness in the neck that extends down the arm (usually on one side but can be both sides). There are instances when the agony can be unbearable.
tingling, numbness, or a "pins and needles" feeling down the arm. It commonly occurs in conjunction with agony, and its distribution mirrors that of pain.
Weakness in the hands, fingers, or arms, either one or both
The signs and symptoms of cervical myelopathy frequently develop worse with time. Any symptom deterioration could happen gradually or suddenly (acute deterioration can occur with even minor trauma)
Individuals who are susceptible to cervical myelopathy
Age
Although cervical myelopathy is frequently caused by spinal degeneration, age is still the greatest risk factor.
Lifestyle
Moreover, variables related to your lifestyle can influence your risk of developing cervical myelopathy. Cervical myelopathy risk may be decreased by leading an active, healthy lifestyle, giving up smoking, and consuming less alcohol.
Cervical myelopathy: How is it identified?
Cervical myelopathy symptoms can coexist with those of a number of other diseases. It's common to write off symptoms as unavoidable aspects of aging. Your doctor's diagnosis will typically be based on the findings of a clinical assessment, which includes a thorough history taking (paying particular attention to when your problems started, how your symptoms changed over time, and whether you recently sustained any injuries, etc.) and a physical examination. An MRI scan frequently confirms the clinical impression.
In Singapore, what medical techniques are utilized to treat cervical myelopathy?
Nonsurgical Alternatives
For minor situations, non-surgical therapy approaches might be investigated and shown to be successful. To alleviate the symptoms, this would necessitate both physical therapy and medicine.
Medical procedures
In order to protect the spinal cord and increase your chances of recovery, Dr. Nolan, a cervical myelopathy specialist from Oxford Spine may advise surgical therapy if your spinal cord is severely compressed and you are experiencing more severe symptoms. Depending on the precise issue, these surgical procedures might be carried out from either the front or the back of your neck. Surgery is performed to free the spinal cord from pressure and, if necessary, to stabilize the spine.
2024-04-05 12:19
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