 Myelopathy
is a term that means that there is something wrong with the spinal cord itself.
This disease is very different from the radiculopathy
that is caused by isolated points of pressure on individual nerve roots. This
process does not commonly occur with low back pain because the spinal cord itself
ends at about the level of the first and second lumbar vertebral body. From this point
on, only nerve roots occupy the spinal canal. However, in certain situations where
there is extensive arthritis and stenosis
in the upper parts of the lumbar spine, or elsewhere in the cervical and thoracic
spine, a patient may develop myelopathy as a result of compression of the spinal
cord. This disease is often first detected as difficulty walking due to generalized
weakness or problems with balance and coordination.
Myelopathy is most commonly caused by spinal
stenosis, which is a progressive narrowing of the spinal canal. In the later
stages of spinal degeneration, bone spurs and arthritic changes make the space
available for the spinal cord within the spinal canal much smaller. The bone
spurs may begin to press on the spinal cord and the nerve roots, and that pressure
starts to interfere with how the nerves function normally.
Click here to find a doctor who treats myelopathy.
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| Published: February 21, 2008 |
Updated: February 21, 2008 |
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