What is Myelopathy?

Myelopathy, pathology of disorders of your spinal cord, may actually be one of many separate diagnoses, including:

• Spinal cord injury, usually due to trauma
• Myelitis, which is inflammation in your spinal cord
• Vascular myelopathy, which includes problems with your vascular system

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Myelopathy

Symptoms of myelopathy will depend on your exact diagnosis, where the problem is located on your spine and its severity. They may include:

• Weakness, muscle spasms or trouble holding things or walking
• Problems with your senses
• Loss of bladder, bowel or sexual function

Diagnosis of myelopathy also depends on the suspected cause and how stable your spine appears to be. Tests may include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Computerized Tomography (CT) scan

Treatment of Myelopathy

Treatment of myelopathy also depends on the specific diagnosis. For some, this may involve surgical treatment to correct the underlying cause, while for others, it may involve medical therapy.