Spinal cord compression (patient information)

Spinal cord compression
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Spinal cord compression?
Prevention
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Spinal cord compression On the Web
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FDA on Spinal cord compression
CDC on Spinal cord compression
Spinal cord compression in the news
Blogs on Spinal cord compression
Directions to Hospitals Treating Spinal cord compression
Risk calculators and risk factors for Spinal cord compression

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

The spinal cord provides nerves to the body including the bladder, arms, and legs. If there is a mass like structure in the bones of the spine (vertebrae) or in the tissues around the spinal cord it can cause pressure (compression) on the spinal cord. This can cause pain, altered sensation and weakness. Spinal cord compression is not common usually but happens to one in 20 people affected by cancer.

What are the symptoms of Spinal cord compression?

• Back pain
• Increased muscle tone (spasticity)
• Loss of normal bowel and bladder control (may include constipation, incontinence, bladder spasms)
• Numbness
• Sensory changes
• Weakness
• Paralysis

What causes Spinal cord compression?

• Any trauma to back
• Tumor
• Disc prolapse
• Vertebral compression fractures
• An abscess or blood clot around the spine

Who is at highest risk?

People with underlying spine disease are at high risk of developing spinal cord compression than normal people.

• Cervical spondylosis
• Atlantoaxial instability
• Congenital conditions (tethered cord)
• Osteoporosis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine

Diagnosis

A physical examination shows point tenderness, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes. Tests may include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• MRI of the bone

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if:

• You develop symptoms of spinal cord compression

Where to find medical care for Spinal cord compression?

Directions to Hospitals Treating spinal cord compression

Prevention

• Proper safety practices during work can prevent spinal cord injuries.