Myelopathy
Myelopathy occurs when there is any kind of loss of spinal cord functionality. It most commonly occurs due to trauma or deteriorating degenerative changes in the spine. Myelopathy is most commonly seen in the neck (cervical myelopathy), but it can also affect the lower back. It is most prevalent in older adults, though it can develop at any age due to herniated discs or bone spurs that compress the spinal cord.
Symptoms may include loss of balance or difficulty walking, weakness in the hands or legs, and neck pain. Because these symptoms often manifest gradually, myelopathy can be difficult to detect in its early stages. Left untreated, it can result in significant disability and irreversible spinal cord damage.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can place pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. It can affect the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions of the spine.
Lumbar Stenosis
Many patients with lumbar stenosis will first try activity modification, physical therapist-guided exercises, NSAIDs, and epidural injections for temporary pain relief. If conservative treatments fail, surgery — most commonly a lumbar laminectomy — may be considered. This procedure has a high success rate and typically allows patients to return to a more active, pain-free lifestyle.
Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is a disorder that progresses slowly, pinching the nerves in the neck. Those with cervical stenosis often experience arm pain, a heavy feeling in the legs, and shooting pain in the arms and legs. In the elderly, it is more common to have cervical spinal stenosis with myelopathy as the spine becomes compressed over time.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. While some curvature occurs naturally with age, a curve exceeding 20 degrees to one side is generally considered abnormal. Scoliosis affects approximately 4 in 100 adolescents, and can also develop in adults, though it is less common.
Most cases of scoliosis are considered idiopathic — no known cause. Adults with scoliosis most often experience back pain, and in cases involving the thoracic spine, difficulty breathing may also occur. Physical deformities such as a lack of body symmetry and trunk imbalance are common signs.