Patient's question:
Doctor, hello. My mother is getting older, so she has quite a few health problems, but they were all minor ones before. However, she told me this time that she feels her cervical spine is very painful, sometimes to the point where she can't sleep. Is this possibly cervical spondylotic myelopathy?Doctor's answer:
Generally, when cervical spondylosis affects the spinal cord, it can cause severe cervical pain to reappear. It is often accompanied by numbness in the upper and lower limbs, and may also lead to dysfunction in urination and defecation. Walking may also cause a sensation of stepping on cotton. Usually, it is necessary to visit a hospital for an MRI examination of the cervical spine to confirm the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis affecting the spinal cord. Severe cervical spondylosis may even lead to collapse. Typically, acupuncture, physical therapy, and methylcobalamin (a nutrient for nerve health) can be administered.