Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
If you have cervical spondylotic myelopathy and you were not offered surgical treatment within a reasonable amount of time, it is possible that you have been left with life-changing injuries. This might include ongoing pain, along with hands and fingers that are stuck in a claw position.
If you have been harmed because of a delay in surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), you should talk to a legal expert about your options. It is possible that you have been the victim of medical negligence, for which you are legally entitled to receive compensation.
To talk to a solicitor about claiming compensation for cervical spondylotic myelopathy, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. We will tell you whether or not you can make a claim. If so, we will help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
What is cervical spondylotic myelopathy?
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is when the spinal cord in the neck becomes compressed. This interferes with the normal function of the spinal cord, which is responsible for transmitting nerve impulses across the body. Consequently problems occur in the hands, arms, fingers and shoulders, such as pain, tingling and weakness.
The anatomy of the spine
To understand CSM in greater detail, it is necessary to explain the anatomy of the spine.
Cervical spine
The spine is made up on vertebra which are stacked on top of each other. The top seven vertebra are known collectively as the cervical spine. It includes the vertebra at the base of the skull and the neck.
Spinal cord
The vertebra are all hollow in the middle. This creates room for the spinal cord, which runs from the brain and all the way down to the lower back. The vertebra envelop the spinal cord, protecting it from harm. The spinal cord transmits messages from the brain to the body, and from the body to the brain. This enables you to move and feel sensations.
Therefore cervical spondylotic myelopathy is when the spinal cord in the cervical region of the spine is compressed and damaged.
How does cervical spondylotic myelopathy happen?
But what causes this compression? There are various possible causes, most of which are associated with the ageing process. These are explained below:
Bone spurs
The vertebral discs will age, just like the rest of the body. The effect is that they lose height, lose water content and bulge outwards. All this means the vertebra collapse slightly, causing them to sit closer together. To compensate for the loss of strength, the body creates more bone around the vertebra. This can make the neck very stiff. It can also reduce the amount of space in the spinal column to such an extent that the extra bone presses upon the spinal cord.
Slipped intervertebral discs
Intervertebral discs sit in between each vertebra, acting as a shock absorber. Sometimes they can slip, otherwise known as a herniated or slipped disc. This does not actually mean that the whole disc has slipped out of place. Rather, the inner substance (called the nucleus populous) can protrude through a gap in the outer shell (called the annulus fibrosus). If a disc slips in the cervical region of the spine, it can press upon the spinal cord. Again, this can be associated with the ageing process.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis sees the membrane around the joints become inflamed. If this happens in the cervical region of the spine, it can damage the facet joints, disrupting the structure of the vertebrae. This can result in the narrowing of the spinal column, thereby leading to compression of the spinal cord.
Traumatic injury
Injuries sustained during a traumatic accident can also cause CSM, including road traffic accidents and sporting injuries. Often the ligaments or muscles are inflamed around the vertebrae, again resulting in compression.
What are the symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy?
The symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy can progress over a matter of months or year. They typically involve:
- Paraesthesia (tingling and numbness) in the arms, hands and fingers
- Weakness in the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers
- Loss of function, with difficulty grasping or co-ordinating the fingers
- A stiff and painful neck
How to diagnose cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Someone who presents with these symptoms should be investigated for possible CSM. The first step towards a diagnosis is to perform an examination. This will look for signs of numbness, weakness, reduced reflexes and muscle shrinkage.
Secondly, a patient should undergo imaging tests, with a CT scan or MRI scan being particularly useful. These will show whether there are any change in the cervical spine.
How is cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated?
If a patient's condition is very mild, they may be treated conservatively. This will aim to manage their symptoms through pain relief, anti-inflammatories and exercises.
However, most people with CSM will need surgery. This will decompress the spinal cord, ensuring it does not suffer any further damage.
Does cervical spondylotic myelopathy needed emergency care?
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is not a medical emergency. In other words, it does not require immediate surgical treatment as some other forms of nerve compression do, such as cauda equina syndrome.
Nevertheless, the patient's treatment should be considered as urgent, as the spinal cord is being compressed – something which can cause terrible injuries if left to continue for too long.
Therefore a patient's care should be given the necessary priority to ensure they undergo surgical treatment within a reasonable amount of time.
Delayed treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy
If cervical spondylotic myelopathy is not treated quickly enough, the patient's symptoms can be permanent. Along with pain and weakness, it is possible that the patient's hands and fingers will become stuck in a claw-like position. This can make even simple tasks such as getting dressed completely impossible.
As can be imagined, being left with such injuries as a result of medical delay will be completely life-changing. The patient may no longer be able to work, live an independent life or participate in hobbies. This can lead to significant financial and emotional damage.
Contact us today
If you have been left with permanent disabilities because doctors did not diagnose and treat your cervical spondylotic myelopathy in a reasonable amount of time, please get in touch. You could be the victim of medical negligence, meaning you would be entitled to claim compensation for the terrible damage you have incurred.
For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
"I would like to say a big thank you to you for making this whole process easy and relatively painless. You kept me informed throughout and you were always polite and courteous in all forms of communication. I would not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family, so a really big thank you and I wish you all the best in the future."
Mr A.
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
Free Medical Negligence Guide
'7 Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing A Medical Negligence Solicitor'