Comprehensive Myelopathy - Spinal Cord Surgery
Myelopathy is a spinal cord compression, or an injury to the spinal cord. As a result, it can lead to pain, numbness, and problems in moving particular parts of the body. Myelopathy occurs due to traumatic injury, aging, or herniated disk. In fact, myelopathy symptoms can be severe and worsen if left untreated or ignored.
Myelopathy in India is a group of symptoms caused by spinal cord compression or an injured spinal cord. When some pressure or force compresses the spinal cord, it becomes difficult to move properly. Consequently, this can lead to pain, loss of feeling, or problems in moving certain parts of the body.
The spinal cord is a collection of nerves that travels messages between the brain and body. It is placed inside the hollow area of the spine. Furthermore, the bone in the spine acts as a shield of protection for the spinal cord. Vertebrae can become weak due to several diseases and conditions.
For instance, the loss of feeling or a feeling of pins and needles in the hand after leaning on the elbow for too long may occur. However, this condition can become worse if it remains untreated.
Types of myelopathy
There are three types of myelopathy, let's understand which affects the certain area:
- Cervical myelopathy: This is a type of compression in the neck. The most common type of cervical myelopathy is degenerative cervical myelopathy. This can be caused due to natural changes to the spine as a person grows older.
- Thoracic myelopathy: This compression can hit in the middle area of the spine, mid and upper back.
- Lumbar myelopathy: This compression occurs in the lower back or lumbar spine.
Causes of myelopathy
One of the most important causes of myelopathy is if anything that compresses the spinal cord can be a clear cause. Some of the common causes of spinal cord compression include:
- Herniated disk
- Infection and inflammation
- Spinal stenosis
- Neurodegenerative disease
- Spondylosis
- Traumatic injury
- Tumor
Symptoms of myelopathy
Symptoms of myelopathy vary based on which part of the spinal cord is affected. Some of the general symptoms of myelopathy include:
Pain in neck or back
Problem in balance and coordination
Tingling, numbness or weakness in the arm, hands, legs or feet
Problem in fine motor skills such as hold a small object, or picking a spoon
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Spinal cord compression can impact the nerves that help in controlling the body's movement and functions. Different areas of the spinal cord plays different values to the body.
Myelopathy surgery treatment
Myelopathy surgery can decompress the spinal cord. Surgery is only recommended if non-surgical treatment fails to relieve symptoms, or if the symptoms are severe and can cause serious complications in future.
Surgeons use spinal decompression surgery to treat myelopathy. Different types of myelopathy surgery include:
- ACDF surgery
- Diskectomy
- Disk replacement
- Laminectomy
- Laminoplasty
- Spinal fusion
All these procedures have their own risk and benefit, neurosurgeons will make you clear everything related to the pros and cons of surgery.
Cost of myelopathy spinal cord surgery in India
The cost of myelopathy spinal cord surgery in India is affordable and cost effective. Moreover, the total cost of the treatment varied depending upon various factors such as choice of the hospital, expertise of the skilled surgeons, or type of surgery.
India is a hub medical treatment, it has multilingual staff that makes communication easier for international patients. India is among the top countries with advanced technology that leads to making it more approachable.
Summary
Myelopathy is a spinal cord compression, or an injury to the spinal cord. As a result, it can lead to pain, numbness, and problems in moving particular parts of the body.
When some pressure or force compresses the spinal cord, it becomes difficult to move properly.
