Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Flashcards
What is degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Spinal cord dysfunction due to compression in the neck
What are the main risk factors for degenerative cervical myelopathy?
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Occupation
Why is smoking a risk factor for degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Due to its effects on the intervertebral disc
Which occupations increase the risk of degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Those exposing patients to high axial load
How does degenerative cervical myelopathy present?
- Pain and numbness in limbs
- Poor coordination
- Imbalance
- Bladder problems- incontinence
- Upper limb- weakness, numbness and loss of dexterity
- Lower limb- stiff, weak, sensory loss
- Hoffman’s sign positive
What upper limb signs do you get with degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Weakness
Numbness
Loss of dexterity
What lower limb signs do you get with degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Stiff
Weak
Sensory loss
What sign will be positive with degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Hoffman’s sign
How is degenerative cervical myelopathy diagnosed?
MRI
What might you see on an MRI of degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Ligamentum hypertrophy
Disc degeneration
What is the management of degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Decompressive surgery
What is important in the management of degenerative cervical myelopathy?
Early treatment within 6 months of diagnosis offers best recovery
