Cervical myleopathy

[sheepandbear]

My partner has just been diagnosed after having a spinal MRI. He only has fairly minor symptoms, pain in his shoulder and upper back, some momentary loss of balance and very occasional tingling/ weakness in his hand but the MRI results show some compression and he has been advised to have surgery asap. (We are abroad, not NHS.)

Partner suffers anxiety and is pretty worried and stressed out at the idea of a laminectomy or arthrodesis.

Does anyone on here have any experience of this condition or these procedures ?

Yes cervical myelopathy diagnosis early 2023.
Operated on in a week ACDF (they go at front of neck) C4/C5 (parent refused to take me home from hospital) I would not say my symptoms were minor my gait went, I lost control of the bladder and bowel after sub contracted local physio said it is just a virus and refused to MRI under mumbo jumbo …back pain isn’t serious and to keep falling as legs would crumble beneath me was a big laugh.
I think the procedure you mention for partner is back of neck entry.
The hospital in Ipswich stopped me becoming paralysed, I remain grateful as cervical myelopathy treated around the UK differs I made an incredibly good recovery getting the surgery inside 2 months - you have to ACT quick.

It isn’t a known disability like MS which gets 3 lesions seen on the mri.
I was recovered in 6 months as a really good outcome, due to swift action and taking the surgery.

There is an incredibly good support group charity for CM with regular coffee break meets up around the world.