What Is Spinal Cord Compression?
The spinal cord is the continuation of the brain, which is surrounded and protected by a stack of bones called vertebrae. A spinal cord compression occurs when a mass places pressure on the spinal cord. It can be a tumor, a bone fragment, or something else. From the starting point in the neck to where it ends at the lower back, the spinal cord may get compressed anywhere on its path. One may suffer numbness, pain, and weakness anywhere in the body, depending on the area of compression. And the symptoms may progress suddenly or over a long period depending upon what causes the compression.
What Are the Causes of Spinal Cord Compression?
The spinal cord starts from the upper part of the neck and ends below the ribcage, continuing as a bunch of nerve fibers. Many nerve roots emerge from either side of the spinal cord and branch out to reach every part of the body. These are the nerves sending signals to the muscles and taking sensations back to the brain. Any cause that applies physical pressure on the nerve on its path from the neck to the lower back affects the body in different ways. Spinal cord compression has many possible causes, such as:
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Cancerous or noncancerous tumors grow in the space near the spinal cord and put pressure or compression.
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Degenerative diseases like arthritis or others.
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A ruptured intervertebral disc (a part that acts as a cushion between the bones forming the spine). It may cause compression or injury to the spinal cord.
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The formation of bony spikes (bone spurs) on vertebrae can narrow the spinal canal, causing compression.
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Gradual wear and tear of the bones due to old age (osteoarthritis).
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Abnormally aligned spine (scoliosis).
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Immune system disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.
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Infection involving the spinal cord.
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Cord Compression?
Symptoms depend on how severe the compression is and what area of the spinal cord is compressed. If the underlying cause is some type of injury, one may show immediate symptoms. At the same time, tumors or infections may take days or weeks to start showing symptoms. Age-related wear and tear of the spine may take years to develop symptoms. The following are the expected symptoms:
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Stiffness or pain in the back, neck or lower back is a very prominent symptom.
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A burning pain extends to the arms, lower back, buttocks, and down the legs (sciatic pain).
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Numbness or weakness in legs, hands, or arms.
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Loss of sensation in both feet.
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If the compression is in the lower back (lumbar region), one may acquire a condition known as Cauda equina syndrome, which includes severe pain and weakness in the legs, loss of bowel and bladder control, and sweating on the back of the legs and inner thighs.
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Compression of the spinal cord in the lower back (lumbar region) affects walking and coordination. One may suffer a foot drop where the foot goes limp and weak.
How Is Spinal Cord Compression Diagnosed?
The doctor reviews the medical history and asks questions about the nature of the symptoms. This is followed by a thorough physical examination, where one looks for the possible signs of spinal cord compression. A neurological examination helps identify weakness, abnormal reflexes, and loss of sensation in body parts. It gives the doctor an idea about which area of the spinal cord may be compressed. The additional tests are:
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X-ray- X-ray of the spine to visualize bone spurs pushing against the spinal cord and other abnormalities with spine alignment.
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Computed Tomography (CT) Scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): These may help get a detailed view of the spinal cord, surrounding bones, and any underlying issues that cause compression.
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Myelogram: A myelogram test, where a substance called contrasting dye is injected into the spinal canal, performs a CT scan to trace the abnormalities better.
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Electromyography (EMG): This procedure helps test the strength of electrical signals passing from nerves to muscles which are indicative of the level of mobility and muscle weakness.
What Are the Treatment Options for Spinal Cord Compression?
It takes a team of multiple specialists from different healthcare specialties to bring the best outcomes. The team includes bone surgeons, neurologists, arthritis specialists, and physical therapists. Treatment depends upon the cause and severity of compression. The doctors may advise the affected individual to reduce physical activity and mobility for a while. One may opt for:
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Prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids to reduce pain and inflammatory swelling.
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Steroid injections into the spinal column (epidural steroid injection).
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Physical therapy to strengthen the abdominal, back, and leg muscles; may help decrease the symptoms.
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Orthodontic braces and neck collars might provide support and help relieve the symptoms.
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Homecare remedies such as applying ice packs and heating pads to relieve pain and swelling.
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Acupuncture, acupressure, and chiropractic manipulations may also help sometimes.
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Radiation or chemotherapy to shrink a tumor that compresses the spinal cord.
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Depending on the cause of compression, one may conduct surgical procedures, which include fusing two vertebrae, removing the bone spur, or increasing the space between two vertebrae (laminectomy, discectomy, or spinal fusion). One may do a surgical repair of fractured vertebrae as well. Surgical management involving the spine is very complicated, and they opt for it as a last resort in most cases.
Conclusion:
With spinal cord compression, some individuals respond well to treatment, though some do not. In order to prevent spinal cord compression from wear and tear of the bones, one can do a few things. Exercising regularly helps strengthen the back muscles so that the spine stays strong and flexible. Always try to adopt a proper body posture while sitting, standing, or lying down; for this, one can use firm mattresses, pillows, and chairs that align well with the natural curves of one’s back. Maintaining healthy body weight is also important, as being overweight and obese adds more stress on one's backbone and gradually compresses the spinal cord. A healthcare professional can advise on the proper ways to lift heavy objects without hurting the back, which is important too.