brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Compression of the Spinal Cord
Introduction
Injuries and disorders can put pressure on the spinal cord, causing back or neck pain, tingling, muscle weakness, and other symptoms. The spinal cord may be compressed by bone, blood (hematomas), pus (abscesses), tumors (cancerous or not), or a ruptured or herniated disk. Symptoms, such as back or neck pain, abnormal sensations, muscle weakness, or impaired bladder and bowel control, may be mild or severe. Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms and the results of a physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, or other imaging tests. Corticosteroids are often given to reduce swelling in or around the spinal cord and thus help reduce pressure on the spinal cord. Depending on the cause, surgery and/or radiation therapy may be used to relieve the pressure. (See also Overview of Spinal Cord Disorders .) Normally, the spinal cord is protected by the spine, but certain injuries and disorders may put pressure (compress) on the spinal cord, disrupting its normal function. These injuries and disorders may also compress the roots of spinal nerves, which pass through the spaces between the back bones (vertebrae), or the bundle of nerves that extend downward from the spinal cord ( Cauda Equina Syndrome ). Spinal cord compression may occur Suddenly, causing symptoms in minutes or over a few hours or days to weeks Slowly and gradually, causing symptoms that worsen over months to years 