Cervical Myelopathy: Spinal Cord Compression in the Neck
Cervical myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord in the neck, usually from arthritis, disc degeneration, or a thickened ligament. Unlike a pinched nerve, myelopathy affects the whole cord and tends to progress slowly and silently: fine hand skills fade, walking becomes unsteady, and balance worsens. Many patients attribute the changes to aging.
Because damaged cord tissue does not fully recover, the goal of surgery is to stop progression and preserve what remains — and earlier intervention gives a better chance of improvement. Dr. Daggubati selects the approach (front, back, or both) based on where the compression is and how the neck is aligned.
Symptoms
- Difficulty with buttons, writing or handling coins
- Numb, clumsy hands
- Unsteady, wide-based walking; needing a rail on stairs
- Stiff legs, spasticity
- Neck pain (not always present)
- Urinary urgency (later)
How it is diagnosed
Cervical MRI showing cord compression, sometimes with signal change inside the cord. Examination reveals brisk reflexes and characteristic signs.
Treatment options
Without surgery
Observation is appropriate only for very mild, stable cases; there is no effective non-surgical treatment for progressive myelopathy.
Surgical options Dr. Daggubati offers
Common questions
Will surgery make my hands normal again?
Surgery reliably halts progression. Many patients also regain function, especially when treated early, but recovery of long-standing deficits is unpredictable.
Not sure this is you?
Bring your imaging and your story. A single visit usually clarifies what is going on and which options are realistic. Request an appointment or call (301) 718-9611.