Pain along the spinal column, weakness in arms or legs, and difficulty walking, are symptoms that should be taken seriously because they are symptoms that can be related to spinal cord compression. In the following article, we discuss this in more detail.
To begin with, it is important to understand that not every patient with these symptoms is suffering from spinal cord compression. An MRI scan is necessary in order to diagnose it. We should also mention that the spinal cord ends at the L1-L2 level, so lesions at levels below that do not cause spinal cord compression. Spinal cord compression can be secondary to a cervical, thoracic, or upper lumbar disc herniation, vertebral fracture, tumor, hematoma...
When these symptoms appear in a cancer patient, spinal cord compression must be suspected and imaging tests must be performed without delay.
Main symptoms of spinal cord compression
A symptom that appears early and is common in most cases of spinal cord compression is pain in the spine, which is usually located around the level where the compression is located. This pain tends to worsen with certain movements, and does not go away with ordinary pain relievers.
Lesions that develop outside the spinal cord itself, but within the spinal canal, are known as extramedullary, and these are the most common cause of spinal cord compression. There are specific symptoms depending on the type of compression, which we analyze below:
1. Mild spinal cord compression: if the compression develops at the thoracic or upper lumbar level, the pain may radiate to one or both legs. If it affects the cervical spinal cord, the patient will experience pain in the area of the cervical spine, and this may radiate to the arms.
Symptoms associated with mild spinal cord compression include:
- Pain in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar region.
- Mild weakness in arms or legs.
- Changes in sensation (hypoesthesia or tingling) in the arms, trunk, abdomen, or lower extremities.
- In men, difficulty achieving and/or maintaining an erection.
2. Acute spinal cord compression: Once the patient experiences symptoms caused by spinal cord compression, damage to the affected area may worsen or become irreversible if not treated properly. Depending on the cause, the damage can worsen in a matter of minutes, or over hours or days
This type of compression can block most nerve impulses, which causes:
- Severe loss of strength in arms or legs, or both.
- Numbness, severe loss of sensation in the trunk, abdomen, upper extremities, lower extremities, or both.
- Difficulty urinating, constipation, or loss of bowel or bladder control (urinary and/or fecal incontinence).
The more severe the degree of spinal cord compression, the more severe the symptoms are.
Exercises for sciatica and herniated discs
Causes of spinal cord compression
One of the causes of spinal cord compression can be disc herniation. A herniated disc can compress the spinal nerve roots that are close to the spinal cord, and in some cases may also compress the spinal cord itself. In fact, spinal compression due to a herniated disc is one that tends to develop in a matter of a few hours, so for the well-being of the patient, it is essential to contact a specialist if they show the symptoms mentioned above.
Our doctors at Instituto Clavel are able to make an accurate diagnosis to find the ideal treatment for each patient. They do this supported by state-of-the-art technology and using innovative techniques with the sole objective of getting the best results for the patient.
Our specialists are ready to help you
Categories: Spine treatments, Spine pathologies, Lumbar pain