Decompression Surgery For Myelopathic Neck Pain

Introduction

The neck has two functions that allow the body to make sure that it holds the head up. The motor functions enable the neck to be mobile with the head as it can turn, twist and rotate without any discomfort or pain affecting it. For the sensory functions, the neck can feel when it has been stretched or adjusted or feel pain when it is injured. These two functions ensure that the neck is working correctly, but when injuries or unwanted events occur and affect the neck, it can cause unwanted problems. Neck injuries have a wide range of painful symptoms that can affect the spine’s head, neck, and cervical region. Today’s article will focus on myelopathy neck pain, its causes and symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help alleviate myelopathy neck pain for many individuals. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

What Is Myelopathy Pain?

Have you been experiencing upper back or neck pain? Do you feel a tingling sensation running from your neck down to your hands? Or have you experienced difficulty in simple tasks like writing or putting on clothes? Experiencing these symptoms might show that you are suffering from myelopathy pain in the neck and cervical area of the spine. Research studies have defined myelopathy pain as when the neck suffers from a traumatic injury that causes severe compression on the spinal cord in the cervical area. The spinal cord in the spine has nerve roots that are branched out in the cervical region and allow the signals to be transported from the brain to the rest of the body. When traumatic injuries cause an impact on the spine, the blunt force will compress the spinal cord causing unwanted symptoms that affects either the cervical or lumbar portions of the spine. When the spinal cord becomes compressed, it can cause issues to the cervical part of the spine’s sensory and motor neck functions. 

The Symptoms & Causes

When a person is suffering from myelopathy pain in the cervical regions of their spine, research studies have shown that the symptoms that myelopathy pain causes are motor dysfunction, where a person is having difficulty doing ordinary activities like getting ready for the day. Other symptoms that cervical myelopathy can cause to the neck are sensory dysfunctions, where the arms and hands feel numb to the touch. This tingling sensation gives off a pins and needles feeling to the body, and it can become uncomfortable for many individuals experiencing this sensation. This could be due to the cervical nerves and the spinal cord nerves being in pain. Additional research has mentioned that cervical myelopathy is caused when osteoarthritic changes in the spinal column that causes the spinal canal to be reduced. Myelopathy cervical pain can also be caused by cervical herniation in the neck, where the spinal discs aggravate the nerve roots. Other causes for the development of myelopathy are:

• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Herniated Discs
• Spinal Injuries

Cervical Traction/Decompression Treatment-Video

Feeling a tingling sensation running down from your shoulders to your hands? How about muscle stiffness from your neck turning it side to side? Is it difficult to do simple tasks like brushing your hair or buttoning up a shirt? Perhaps you are experiencing cervical myelopathy in the neck that is causing these symptoms, and decompression/traction treatments could be the relief you need. The video above shows how to assemble the Chatanooga decompression machine for cervical decompression/traction treatments. This treatment allows the individual to lay their head on the traction table and be secured. The device enables moderate pulling to release the pinched nerves from causing more pain to the neck and upper half of the body. Cervical decompression/traction can also help with neck and spinal issues like cervical herniation, radicular pain, and muscle stiffness. Cervical decompression/traction therapy has many beneficial factors in a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explain how cervical decompression offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck pain and cervical myelopathy.

How Decompression Therapy Helps Alleviate Myelopathy Neck Pain

With myelopathy, neck pain causing not only neck pain but also upper body pain that hinders a person’s ability to do simple tasks. Research studies have shown that decompression surgery can help alleviate myelopathy neck pain by restoring the neurological motor function back in the spinal cord and providing relief to the cervical nerve roots. Other research studies have found that decompression treatments for myelopathy neck pain can help improve neck functionality, reduce neck disability, and even help restore a person’s quality of life by bringing back their motor function for the upper extremities that are associated with the neck. 

Conclusion

Overall, having myelopathy neck pain can cause a person to lose their motor and sensory functions in their upper body. The factors like herniation, spinal spondylolysis, and spinal injuries are some of the causes of the development of myelopathy. It can make a person deal with constant neck pain without finding relief. Decompression treatments help many suffering individuals dealing with myelopathy neck pain by relieving the tension from the cervical nerve root that is causing the pain signals in the cervical area. By reducing the inflamed cervical nerve, people can feel the relief they desire when incorporating decompression treatments into their wellness journey.

References

Cheung, W Y, et al. “Neurological Recovery after Surgical Decompression in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy – a Prospective Study.” International Orthopaedics, Springer-Verlag, Apr. 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2269013/.

Donnally, Chester J, et al. “Cervical Myelopathy.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 6 Mar. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482312/.

Fehlings;Wilson JR;Kopjar B;Yoon ST;Arnold PM;Massicotte EM;Vaccaro AR;Brodke DS;Shaffrey CI;Smith JS;Woodard EJ;Banco RJ;Chapman JR;Janssen ME;Bono CM;Sasso RC;Dekutoski MB;Gokaslan ZL;, Michael G. “Efficacy and Safety of Surgical Decompression in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Results of the Aospine North America Prospective Multi-Center Study.” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Sept. 2013, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24048552/.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “Myelopathy: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic, 2 Oct. 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21966-myelopathy.

Milligan, James, et al. “Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Diagnosis and Management in Primary Care.” Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Sept. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6741789/.

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