Spinal cord compression

A disc prolapse in the neck generally causes compression of a nerve causing arm pain. This can also be associated with numbness, pins and needles, and weakness. We call this cervical radiculopathy. A disc prolapse in the neck can also compress the spinal cord. This can also cause numbness, pins and needles, and weakness in your hands. Additionally, it can result in a loss of fine hand function making you clumsy with a tendency to drop things. Some patients notice a change in the way that they walk and experience a loss of bladder and bowel control.  This is called cervical myelopathy. Left untreated cervical myelopathy can lead to permanent spinal cord damage resulting in irreversible disability.

In cases of cervical myelopathy surgery will usually be discussed with you. The main aim of surgery is to prevent deterioration, although symptoms often improve to some degree following surgery, in particular the stiffness of hand and walking difficulties. In some cases of cervical myelopathy patients continue to deteriorate despite successful surgery due to the damage that has already been done to the spinal cord. Unfortunately, the recovery of the spinal cord is often slow and unpredictable.