The spinal cord is an assembly of small bones (vertebrae), nerves and soft tissues which together work to transmit messages to the brain and vice versa. It runs from the base of the head down to the lower back. The nerves project out of the intervertebral spaces and connect with the muscles to send signals to the whole body. Pressure in any part of the spine is referred to as Spinal Cord Compression.
Causes
- pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="osteoarthritis" data-rx-definition="Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear joint disease causing pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।">Osteoarthritis- wear and tear of the spinal vertebrae due to the process of ageing
- Tumor in the spine
- pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="rheumatoid arthritis" data-rx-definition="Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Inherent defect in the alignment of the spinal cord
- Direct trauma to the spine
- Bone disease or infection in the spinal cavity
- Bone spurs may exert undue pressure on the spine
- Fractures in the spinal cord
- Damage or dislocation of the intervertebral discs
- Accumulation of abscess (pus) around the spinal cord
- Hardening of the connective tissues
- Hematoma- accumulation of blood near or within the spine
Symptoms
- Pain which can be severe and incapacitating
- Weakness or numbness
- Loss of sensation in the limbs
- Stiffness in the arms, legs, back or neck
- Sexual disorders
- Inability to maintain body balance or movement
- pain traveling along the sciatic nerve, often from lower back to leg. সহজ বাংলা: কোমর থেকে পায়ে নামা নার্ভের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="sciatica" data-rx-definition="Sciatica means pain traveling along the sciatic nerve, often from lower back to leg. সহজ বাংলা: কোমর থেকে পায়ে নামা নার্ভের ব্যথা।">Sciatica- burning pain radiating into the arms, legs and hips
- Disruption of bowel movements or urinary incontinence
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling of pricks and needles in the body
Diagnosis
- The spine specialist may analyze the apparent symptoms, reflexes and weakness of limbs may be conducted
- X-ray imaging may be required to assess the change in spine alignment or growth of bone spurs
- MRI scans and CT scans may help to review the damage to soft tissues as well as other structures within the spinal cavity
- Bone scans may also be performed
- Electromyography- testing the muscle activities using electric currents
- Myelogram- injecting a dye into the spine before conducting a scan
Treatment
- Prescription of infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory drugs and pain killers
- Administering steroid injections into the spinal cavity
- Use of a cervical collar or removable brace to support the spine
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and restore mobility
- Surgical removal of bone spurs or tumors
- Surgical fusion of vertebrae to enhance the stability of the spinal cord
- Cold or heat therapy may help to reduce pain and swelling
- Radiation or chemotherapy may be required to destroy the tumor if it compresses the spine
- Drainage of accumulated pus or blood
- Antibiotics may be prescribed in case of an infection
- Surgical insertion of metal screws, wires and rods to stabilize as well as rectify the spinal alignment
