Canadian Cancer Society. Deerfield, Our spinal cord is a solid structure approximately one centimeter (3/8) in diameter. Find out about psoriatic arthritis. Common symptoms of spinal cord compression include: Balance issues. Numbness, weakness, and/or cramping in the hands, arms or legs. This typically happens in the lower back (lumbar stenosis) or the neck (cervical stenosis). Compression of the Spinal Cord. Most often, spinal cord compression is caused by an injury, but also can result from the narrowing of the spinal canal or other conditions that put pressure on the spinal cord. There are many symptoms of spine pain in general. The type of surgery that may be recommended is called spinal decompression , which means removing (or reducing) pressure from the spinal cord. Veritas Health, LLC, Myelopathy symptoms may cause weakness of the hands and/or legs, problems with walking, balance, and coordination. Emergency surgery to repair a broken spine, which may include removing bone or disc fragments, Radiation therapy and sometimes surgery to remove a tumor, Antibiotics to treat an abscess, and sometimes surgery to remove it, depending on the symptoms it’s causing, Vitamin K injections or plasma transfusion if a hematoma is caused by a bleeding disorder, Corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling around the spinal cord, often followed by surgery. For some people, this pain is described as a burning sensation in the thighs or calves, a 1987 article in the "Journal of Neurosurgery" notes. 520 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350, Spinal cord compression symptoms include pain, numbness or weakness in the arms, hands, legs or feet. Bladder or bowel control problems, causing either inability to urinate or defecate, or urine or stool leakage, Severe or worsening pain, weakness or numbness in the lower extremities, such as between the legs and inner thighs and in the back of the legs. Pain is one of the most common symptoms of thoracic stenosis. The four spinal cord regions are: The cervical spinal cord: This is the topmost portion of the spinal cord, where the brain connects to the spinal cord, and the neck connects to the back.This region consists of eight vertebrae, commonly referred to as C1-C8. Compression fractures may or may not cause symptoms. Clinical signs and symptoms depend on which spinal cord level (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) is affected and the extent (anterior, posterior, or lateral) of the pathology, and may include: Upper motor neuron signs—weakness, spasticity, clumsiness, altered tonus, hyperreflexia and pathological reflexes, including Hoffmann's sign and inverted plantar reflex (positive Babinski sign) If you’re willing to try a few new things, though, you might find some relief. One of the most common symptoms is stiffness or … Ruptured or herniated disks: A herniated disc more often compresses the spinal nerve roots (spinal nerve compression), but may also put pressure on the spinal cord. Spinal Cord Compression. Some sciatica back pain can be treated at home, but for more severe sciatica, you may need more advanced treatment. 1999-2020 Veritas Health, LLC. Get an overview of tailbone pain, including possible causes, related symptoms, treatment options, and potential complications. If the compression occurs suddenly, surgery must occur as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage to the spinal cord. Pain is the most common symptom of a thoracic herniated disc and may be isolated to the upper back or radiate in a dermatomal (single nerve root) pattern. Learn about different scoliosis types and how treatment and prognosis differs for each. 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