Because the symptoms of cervical myelopathy develop over a long period of time, may people mistakenly attribute the symptoms to “just getting older,” when, in fact, it may be treatable. These symptoms include:

• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs
• Difficulties with coordination or speed of walking
• Difficulties with fine motor control of the hand (i.e., writing or manipulating small objects)
• A feeling of heaviness in the legs

There are several ways to treat cervical myelopathy. Some patients in the beginning to middle stages of the condition find immobilization with a neck brace effective, while physical therapy may also be of benefit.

A small group of patients, however, may only find relief through surgery to take the pressure off the spinal cord. This is particularly true for people who display advanced symptoms that indicate nerve and spinal cord compression.

There are a number of surgical approaches for cervical myelopathy and Dr. Radcliff will discuss them with you. Surgery will probably be followed by a period of rehabilitation to ensure that you regain as much mobility as possible and to help you get back to your normal life.

With cervical radiculopathy, pain can radiate from the neck to anywhere along the arm area, including the shoulder, hand, and fingers. Other symptoms in this area can include:

• Numbness
• Altered reflexes
• Weakness
• Tingling

Cervical radiculopathy can be treated in a number of different ways, both surgically and non-surgically. Non-surgical treatments are typically the first line of treatment and can include:

• Rest or activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Ice and/or heat therapy
• Medication including over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and/or pain relievers
• Cervical traction
• Manual manipulation
• Epidural steroid injection

If non-surgical treatments don’t provide the pain relief you are looking for, surgery could be the next step. Dr. Radcliff performs several minimally invasive procedures for cervical radiculopathy and will discuss the different options with you.

Cervical stenosis may cause the following symptoms:

• Neck or arm pain
• Numbness and weakness in both hands
• Loss of coordination when walking or during other activities
• Muscle spasms in the legs

Cervical stenosis may require surgery, possibly urgent or even emergency surgery.

Conservative treatment may be sufficient to alleviate symptoms of stenosis. Surgery may be recommended if there are signs that the spinal cord is compressed or there is a significant risk that the spinal cord may become damaged. Surgery is necessary if neurological symptoms increase (i.e., a patient has difficulty with balance or walking).  In cervical stenosis, discs and spurs can be removed from the front or back of the neck. Spinal fusion may be performed to stabilize the spine or if a disc is removed.

Compression fracture symptoms range from mild to severe, and include:

• Back pain – This can develop anywhere between the shoulders and lower back. The pain usually gets better when you lie down, and it worsens when you stand or walk.
• Decreased mobility or flexibility in the spine – You may not be able to twist or bend over.
• Hunched over appearance
• Loss of height – Occurs as the vertebrae compress and the back curves.
• Pinched nerves – Can cause tingling and numbness in the back and difficulty walking.
• Bladder or bowel control problems

Treatment for compression fractures focuses on relieving pain, stabilizing the bones in the spine, and preventing another fracture. Depending on the severity of the fracture and your overall health, treatment may include:

• Medication for relieving pain – Sometimes over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be enough to relieve pain, or Dr. Radcliff may feel like a prescription pain reliever may work better for you
• Medications to strengthen bones – Drugs called bisphosphonates can slow further bone loss, stabilize the bones and prevent fractures.
• Bracing – A special type of back brace can support your vertebrae and relieve pain by reducing how much you move your spine.
• Physical therapy – This concentrates on strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support and stabilize the spine, as well as improving balance and mobility.

In rare cases when symptoms are disabling, surgery may be needed. If this is the case, Dr. Radcliff will typically perform a minimally invasive procedure called kyphoplasty. During the procedure, Dr. Radcliff inserts a balloon-like device. As the device is inflated, it opens up a space that is then filled with bone cement.

A disc herniation in the spine may result in:

• Shooting pain in the arms or legs
• Localized severe pain or burning in the back or neck
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Changes in bowel or bladder activity
• Changes in bowel or bladder activity
• Lack of sensation or pins and needles tingling in arms or legs

Despite the fact that the physical degeneration in your spine will gradually progress over time, the good news is that your symptoms may not necessarily progress to the same extent. Sometimes, symptoms can even improve over time.

For some people, however, particularly if the pain levels are severe, or if there is pressure on the nerve roots, symptoms will continue to escalate with time.

Most people with degenerative disc disease respond well to conservative, non-surgical treatment. This conservative treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers. Physical therapy can help manage your symptoms and may include manual therapy, heat, and other pain-relieving methods, stretching, strengthening exercises, and education to help you manage your condition.

For a small group of people who don’t respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary, particularly if there are signs and symptoms of nerve compression or joint instability. There is a wide range of surgical techniques that can be used to help degenerative disc disease, depending on the extent and nature of the damage to the disc and spine. Dr. Radcliff will discuss with you fully the type of surgery he recommends for your individual circumstances and will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Where the symptoms appear depends on what part of your spine the herniated disc is located. In general, symptoms include:

• Pain in your arms, shoulders, legs, buttocks, thighs, or calves
• Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
• Weakness in your arms, hands, or legs

Pain is caused by inflammatory chemicals that are released around the injured area, and the injured disc can also put pressure on the nerve roots as they travel through the adjoining tunnel to and from the spinal cord. This can cause pain, pins and needles, and numbness in your extremities and can lead to significant muscular weakness.

Most people with mild disc herniation will improve on their own in about six to eight weeks. For others, however, the pain will be more intense and persistent, and physical therapy may be indicated to help alleviate symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers may also be necessary.

In a small group of people, symptoms don’t respond to conservative measures or time. When this is the case, Dr. Radcliff may recommend surgery, particularly if there is persistent pain or weakness in your arms or legs. When surgery is indicated, it is usually performed to reduce the pressure from the herniated disc on surrounding tissue and nerve roots.

Dr. Radcliff performs several different types of minimally invasive surgical procedures for herniated discs and will discuss these procedures with you.

The main symptom of sciatica is pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg. This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain. Typically, only one side of your body is affected.

Some people may also experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot. You might have pain in one part of your leg and numbness in another part.

The methods of treatment for sciatica will greatly depend on the affected area of the patient’s body as well as the classification of sciatica. There are two different classifications of sciatica:

• Acute or short-term sciatica
• Chronic or long-term sciatica

Acute sciatica can last anywhere from four to six weeks, while chronic sciatica can persist significantly longer. Acute sciatica may be remedied with the use of hot and cold packs, over-the-counter painkillers, and exercises.

In contrast, chronic sciatica commonly requires more intensive medical treatments, such as physical therapy, exercise, and applied heat. Patients with either acute or chronic sciatica may require surgery to be relieved of the symptoms.

These can include:

• Lower back pain
• Sensation of low extremity pain, numbness, tingling, weakness
• Pelvis/buttock pain
• Hip/groin pain
• Feeling of leg instability (buckling, giving way)
• Disturbed sleep patterns due to pain
• Disturbed sitting patterns (unable to sit for long periods, sitting on one side)
• Pain going from sitting to standing

Initial non-surgical treatments for SI joint pain typically include:

• Brief rest period of 1 – 2 days
• Applying ice or heat to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain and discomfort
• Pain medication
• Manual manipulation of the SI joint by a qualified health professional
• Supports or braces
• Sacroiliac joint injections
• Stretching
• Strengthening exercises

If non-surgical treatments are ineffective, Dr. Radcliff may recommend minimally invasive SI joint fusion.

Symptoms may include:

• Back pain
• Radiating pain into the legs, especially when moving
• Leg weakness and/or numbness
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Change in bowel or bladder function

Often, conservative treatment of physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and/or pain relievers may be sufficient to alleviate symptoms of stenosis.

However, Dr. Radcliff will typically recommend surgery if there are signs that the spinal cord or nerves are compressed. Surgery is necessary if neurological symptoms increase, such as difficulty with balance or walking.

If Dr. Radcliff feels surgery is your best option, he will recommend the least invasive approach that will give you the most optimum outcome.