Spinal Cord Compression

Discover more about this condition, which happens when too much pressure is put on the spinal cord, causing back and neck pain. Find out what can help you.  


What are the symptoms

When to get emergency medical care

What are the causes?

When to see a doctor and diagnosis

What’s the treatment?

Finding support

Spinal cord compression happens when too much pressure is put on the spinal cord – the column of nerve tissue that runs down the middle of your spine. This pressure may be caused by certain injuries or conditions. Find out more plus when you might need emergency medical care. 


When your spine becomes compressed it means there is pressure on your cord and nerves.

The spinal cord is made up of the nerves that run from your brain to the base of your back.

Smaller nerves shoot off from the spinal cord, which are what supply the sensation or feeling to your torso, arms, and legs, plus provide muscle control to areas like your bowel and bladder. 

Pressure on the spinal cord leads to symptoms such as pain, and problems with bladder and bowel control. Read on to find out more about the different types of symptoms and when to get emergency medical help. 


## What are the symptoms

Spinal cord compression can happen suddenly or gradually. When it’s sudden, it can cause symptoms that appear within minutes, hours, days or weeks. If the condition develops more slowly, 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 or stiffness
- muscle weakness 
- limping caused by foot drop (weakness in the foot)
- tingling, numbness, and other changes in sensation in parts of your body
- a burning pain spreading down the arms, buttocks, and legs ([sciatica](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/sciatica))
- loss of sexual function, such as difficulty having or keeping an erection in men. 


Get help with this

## When to get emergency medical care
If there is pressure on the nerves in your lower spine, this can cause more serious symptoms and is known as cauda equina syndrome. 

These include:
- losing control of your bladder or bowel movements 
- numbness of the legs 
- severe pain or weakness in the legs, so it‘s hard to get up or walk.

If you have symptoms of [cauda equina syndrome](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/cauda-equina-syndrome#symptoms), get emergency medical care. 


## What are the causes?
Spinal cord compression can be caused by any condition that puts pressure on the spine. These can include: 
- __aging__  – the most common cause of spinal cord compression. As we age, the bones and discs in the spine can wear down, known as osteoarthritis. This usually happens in people over 50
- __herniated discs__ – sometimes the soft part inside a disc pushes out and presses on the spinal cord
- __bone spurs__ – bony growths form along bone edges, usually caused by osteoarthritis, and squeeze the spinal cord 
- __injuries__ – a bad fall or accident can break or move bones in the spine, causing sudden pressure
- __tumors__ – growths, either cancerous or not, can press on the spinal cord 
- __an abscess__  – a build-up of pus outside or, less often, in the spinal cord, can compress it
- __certain conditions__ – such as rheumatoid arthritis or scoliosis
- __bleeding__ – blood buildup around the spine (called spinal hematoma) can cause pressure. This can happen as a result of an injury, or due to bleeding disorders and certain medications.


## When to see a doctor and diagnosis

If you have symptoms of [cauda equina syndrome](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/cauda-equina-syndrome#symptoms), get [emergency medical help](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/spinal-cord-compression#when-to-get-urgent-help).

See your doctor if you have[ symptoms of spinal cord compression](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/spinal-cord-compression#what-are-the-symptoms). 

Diagnosing spinal cord compression will usually start with your doctor asking about your symptoms, such as pain, numbness, or weakness, and when they began. 

A physical exam may follow to check your reflexes, muscle strength, and how well you can feel sensations like touch, heat, or cold.

You may also have the following scans and tests: 
- __MRI scan:__ this is the most common test. It uses magnets to take detailed pictures of your spine and shows if there's pressure on your spinal cord. 
- __a CT scan__ may also be used
- __X-ray__ these can show bone problems or injuries, or if your spine is abnormally shaped

- __other tests__: If your doctor suspects a specific condition, you may need other tests such as a bone scan.

A quick and accurate diagnosis is important to get the right treatment and protect your spine from further problems.


## What’s the treatment?

The type of treatment you have for spinal cord compression will depend on what’s caused it.

This could involve:
- __medication__ – pain medicines like NSAIDs to manage pain and inflammation and steroid injections to reduce swelling
- __physical therapy__ – to strengthen your muscles and protect your spine. A back brace or a neck collar could also be helpful for support 
- __radiation__ – if a tumor is causing the compression, radiation therapy can be used to shrink the tumor. This may be given on its own or in combination with other treatments like surgery and steroids 
- __drainage__ – if an abscess is causing the compression, you may need to have the abscess drained by having the pus removed with a needle, along with a course of antibiotics. If a hematoma is the cause, the blood build-up may have to be drained from the spine
- __surgery__ – to relieve compression and stabilize the spine, which could involve removing bone spurs, adding rods, screws or pins, or fusing vertebrae in the spine together.

You may also need other treatment to deal with the symptoms of spinal cord compression, such as bowel and bladder changes. 

If you're dealing with spinal cord compression caused by cancer you may need further support to manage the condition and its effect on your mobility and health, such as [physiotherapy](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/treatments/physiotherapy), [occupational therapy](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/treatments/occupational-therapy), or palliative care.


## Finding support
If you’ve experienced spinal cord compression, no matter the cause, know there is support out there if you need it.

[MacMillan](https://www.macmillan.org.uk/) – a UK cancer support charity providing information and an online community to people dealing with cancer.

[Spinal Injuries Association](https://www.spinal.co.uk/) is a UK-based charity helping people recover from spinal injuries

[The International Centre for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI)](https://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/centers-and-programs/international-center-for-spinal-cord-injury) in the US offers programs to people with spinal cord injuries. 


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References

Rosa Bowden

Jo Wheatley

Dr Ewan O'Farrell

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