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But these bone spurs cause the spine to stiffen, and narrow the spinal canal compressing the spinal cord. The body responds by forming bone spurs in an attempt to support the spine. Spondylosis is another term for arthritis.Īs we age the discs lose water and collapse which leads to a loss of height and narrowing of the disc space. Most commonly cervical mylopathy is caused by degeneration of the spine from wear and tear. This condition is present in 90% of individuals over the age of 70. Cervical SpondylosisĬervical Spondylosis is the most common disorder of the cervical spine in people older than 55. The most common location is in the cervical spine. Myelopathy can occur anywhere in the spine. Symptoms of radiculopathy include pain, weakness, and changes in sensation that affect the ability to maintain balance or affect arm use. The nerve roots are the nerves that exit the spinal cord. Nerve roots impingement are impinged, it is called Radiculopathy. Weakness and numbness in the hands and arms, loss of balance and coordination and neck pain. In the neck (cervical spine) the symptoms include changes in fine motor skills like dexterity and grip strength, changes in handwriting, dropping of items, difficulty buttoning clothing and other fine motor skills.
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In the lower spine (lumbar spine) it can affect the gait and balance, and bowel and bladder function.Symptoms depend on the location of the compression. Myelopathy symptoms are a warning that requires urgent medical evaluation. Symptoms arise from the interruption of the normal flow of nerve impulses through the spinal canal. In older people, myelopathy is a result of a spontaneous course of degeneration that provides periods of stability followed by periods of deterioration. infection, tumors, neurological diseases and congenital conditions.
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