Spinal Decompression Surgery in New Jersey Treats Myelopathy

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For those experiencing back pain, Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) understands what causes patients to feel the way they do by accurately diagnosing their spine conditions. Then, the CNSO spine specialists individualize a comprehensive treatment and recovery plan. If it is determined that an individual has myelopathy and needs spinal decompression surgery, the patient can receive optimal care in northern New Jersey. CNSO is the leading spine surgery center in the area, offering many treatments for myelopathy and other conditions. Learn more about myelopathy and the care options available at CNSO.

What Is Myelopathy?

Myelopathy is the constellation of symptoms that a patient experiences when the spinal cord has been injured or is compressed by the surrounding structures. This compression may be the result of trauma, spondylolisthesis, congenital cervical stenosis, degenerative disease, or disc herniation.

Myelopathy can occur at any level of the spine:

Cervical Myelopathy

This occurs in the neck and is one of the most common forms of myelopathy. Neck pain is one symptom of cervical myelopathy, but not all patients will experience pain. Many will experience bilateral radiculopathy in the arms.

Thoracic Myelopathy

The thoracic spine refers to the middle region of the spine. This part of the spinal cord typically experiences compression due to bulging or herniated discs, bone spurs, or spinal trauma. The patient may have rib cage pain and/or difficulty walking.

Lumbar Myelopathy

Lumbar myelopathy is a rare condition. In most patients with the disorder, the spinal cord ends in the top section of the lumbar spine. However, if the spinal cord is low-lying or tethered, it can be affected by lumbar myelopathy.

Causes of Myelopathy

As patients age, there are many reasons a spine can experience compression, including:

• Inflammation
• Arthritis
• Bone spurs
• Flattening of spinal discs

Myelopathy can develop in patients slowly due to spondylosis, which is the gradual degeneration of the spine, or due to a congenital spinal deformity. Myelopathy can also occur suddenly or acutely due to an accident or injury. Common causes of myelopathy are:

• Degenerative spinal conditions, such as spinal stenosis
• Central disc herniation
• Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Hernias
• Cysts
• Hematomas
• Spinal tumors

Some patients may develop acute myelopathy after undergoing another medical event, such as:

• Spinal injury
• Spinal infection
• Inflammatory disease
• Radiation therapy
• Neurological disorder

Symptoms of Myelopathy

When a patient experiences myelopathy, the most common symptom is a loss of sensation or function or pain and discomfort in the area around the compression point. Other symptoms include:

• Neck, arm, leg, or lower back pain
• Tingling, numbness, or weakness
• Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt
• Increased reflexes in extremities or the development of abnormal reflexes
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of urinary or bowel control
• Issues with balance and coordination

The exact symptoms a myelopathy patient has depend on the level of the spine the spinal cord compression takes place. Consequently, not all patients will experience the same symptoms.

How Is Myelopathy Diagnosed?

Because myelopathy can be present anywhere in the spine, a spine specialist often will start with an X-ray of the area to rule out any fractures or determine the aliment of the vertebral bones. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the second test an orthopedic spine doctor will order, giving them a detailed look at the spine and the areas affected by stenosis.

Finally, spine specialists may call for an electrical test, such as an electromyogram (EMG), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), or a nerve conduction velocity study (NCV). These tests show how well nerves function to provide sensation and movement ability to a patient’s arms and legs. They also measure how nerve stimulation in a hand, arm, leg, or foot connects through the spinal cord to the brain.

Myelopathy is indicative of an underlying condition of the spinal cord. Because of this, a spine specialist may diagnose a patient with another disorder in addition to myelopathy. For example, a patient with neck pain may have cervical stenosis with myelopathy.

Can Myelopathy Be Treated Without Surgery?

In some cases, myelopathy cannot be reversed. Pain management is one way to treat uncomfortable symptoms and slow the condition’s progression. Pain management can mean using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Other non-surgical treatments for myelopathy are physical therapy and possibly bracing.

Patients should always consult with the spine team at CNSO before beginning any kind of treatment for myelopathy. Depending on the level of severity, physical therapy may need to be avoided.

Treating Myelopathy With Spinal Decompression Surgery and Other Methods

If myelopathy cannot or should not be managed with non-surgical treatments, the medical team at CNSO may recommend surgery. Depending on the type of myelopathy a patient has, a neurosurgeon will suggest one of many different surgical options to treat symptoms. Some of the factors a neurosurgeon will use to determine which method a patient needs include:

• Location of myelopathy pain
• History of previous spinal treatments
• Level of activity
• Anatomy of the patient’s spine
• History of back trauma
• Other medical problems

CNSO has a team of neurosurgeons well-versed in performing many surgeries to treat a variety of spine conditions. The most common procedures to treat myelopathy include:

Spinal Decompression Surgery

Spinal decompression as a surgical treatment is a common surgical procedure that will relieve pressure on the spinal cord and the surrounding nerve roots. This procedure also can be used to treat herniated discs or remove bone spurs that are impinging on nerves. During the surgery, bone or tissue are modified or removed to relieve the pressure causing the compression on the spine.

Decompressive Laminectomy

A decompressive laminectomy is a surgical procedure in which portions of the lamina are removed to alleviate pain off of the spinal cord or nerve roots and/or to gain access to the spine.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Decompressions

The neurosurgeons at CNSO use the latest technology to treat spine-related conditions including minimally invasive spine surgery for the causes of myelopathy. Minimally invasive spine surgery involves making a small incision in the surgical area, where a microscopic camera and surgical tools are inserted. In many instances, a minimally invasive procedure allows a patient to go home on the same day as surgery.

Other benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include:

• Less scarring of the skin and muscle due to the small incision
• Decreased bleeding during surgery
• Declined exposure to radiation
• Lowered risk of infection
• Fewer pain medication requirements during recovery
• Shorter recovery time

The spine care team at CNSO will work with each patient to customize their surgical care plan. This allows spine specialists to determine the best course of action for the patient.

After Decompressive Spine Surgery

If a patient requires surgery to treat their myelopathy, there are some side effects they can expect during the recovery process, including:

• Stiffness or soreness in the surgical area after the procedure
• Wearing a temporary brace or collar to support the spine postoperatively
• Limited activity, including no driving, heavy lifting, or major exercise for a few weeks.

An orthopedic spine physician may prescribe physical therapy to help strengthen the back muscles and prevent back strain after a surgical procedure. Physical therapy also can reduce pain and increase a patient’s range of motion.

About CNSO’s Spine Treatments

Patients dealing with the symptoms of loss of balance, coordination, and pain due to myelopathy may wonder what makes CNSO different from other New Jersey spine care options. At CNSO, patients can receive a diagnosis and treatment from a skilled team of spine surgeons and specialists. CNSO uses personalized treatment plans and state-of-the-art technology for the most comprehensive patient care.

The CNSO practice specializes in neurosurgery, orthopedic spine surgery, pain management, general orthopedics, physiatry, physical therapy, and more.

The board-certified neurosurgeons at CNSO are experts in many types of spine and brain surgery, including:

• Brain tumor surgery
• Pituitary tumor excision
• Spinal tumor excision
• Nerve tumor excision
• Blood clot evacuation of the brain
• Brain and spine trauma surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Discectomy
• Hydrocephalus shunting
• Laminectomy
• Scoliosis surgery
• Spinal deformity corrective surgery
• Spinal cord stimulation

Patients needing advanced spine or brain surgery are in good hands with the experienced spine team at CNSO. Each patient has coordinated care from the initial consultation to the last post-treatment visit.

Receive a Second Opinion From CNSO

The medical providers at CNSO understand patients may want a second opinion on their back or spine diagnosis. CNSO’s brain and spine specialists know a second opinion can help patients feel at ease with their diagnosis, even helping them to understand their conditions better, and feel more secure about their selected treatment choice.

When a patient schedules a consultation with CNSO, the spine team reviews every part of a diagnosis and plan. A compassionate group of experts educates patients on their diagnosis, explains the most effective treatment options, and ensures patients understand their expected course toward wellness. CNSO informs patients of many aspects of their diagnosis, including:

• Symptoms
• Medical conditions
• Previous testing
• Diagnosis
• Treatment options
• Recovery process

Patients can book one-hour consultations, giving spine specialists enough time to craft a thorough diagnosis and plan. The neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons specialize in minimally invasive surgery techniques, and patient plans include pain management and physical therapy when needed.

Access Spinal Decompression Surgery and Additional Treatments at CNSO

The dedicated surgical and non-surgical team at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine, and Orthopedics (CNSO) understands how myelopathy can impact daily life. At CNSO, patients will receive comprehensive and coordinated care so they can resume a healthy, less painful lifestyle free from disability. Visit the leading, board-certified neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists at CNSO.

Language should not be a barrier to receiving quality, comprehensive healthcare. That is why many spine specialists at CNSO speak a variety of languages, helping patients feel comfortable with their treatment. Members of our medical spine team are fluent in the following: English, Hebrew, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, and Spanish.

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics offers multiple convenient locations across northern New Jersey. Patients can contact the spine specialists at CNSO today to learn more about effectively treating myelopathy pain.