Spinal Cord Compression

Spinal cord compression (SCC) is a serious condition that happens when there is too much pressure on the nerves in the middle of your spine. 

What are the symptoms of spinal cord compression?

How is spinal cord compression treated?



## What are the symptoms of spinal cord compression?

Spinal cord compression can happen suddenly or gradually. When it happens suddenly, it can cause symptoms that appear within minutes, hours, days or weeks. When it happens gradually, its symptoms may get worse over months or years.

The symptoms of spinal cord compression can vary depending on how much of the cord is affected. They include:

- back or neck pain
- muscle weakness
- tingling, numbness and other changes in sensation in parts of your body
- difficulty controlling when you pee or poo
- not being able to pee at all or empty your bladder fully when you pee
- difficulty having or keeping an erection

Spinal cord compression is an emergency condition that needs immediate medical attention. Go to the emergency department or call an ambulance if you think you have it.


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## How is spinal cord compression treated?

You’ll usually need imaging scans, such as an [MRI](/health-library/medical-exams/mri-scan) or [CT scan](/health-library/medical-exams/ct-scan), to diagnose spinal cord compression.

The treatment you’ll need will typically depend on the cause of the compression and may include:

- surgery
- steroids given through a vein
- a procedure to drain abscesses or collections of blood (haematoma)
- radiotherapy - for tumours

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References

Dr Lauretta Ihonor

Dr Ann Nainan

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Spinal cord compression is caused by too much pressure on the spinal cord. It can happen suddenly or slowly over time. Here are the symptoms of spinal cord compression and how to treat it.