Myelomalacia

[mck129]

I was in an automobile accident which caused my discs at c-5/6 and c-6/7 to collapse.  My spinal cord was impinged/trapped in both areas.  I had the anterior cervical discectomy w/fusion and plating to relieve the impingement of the cord.  It was about 2 years between the accident and the surgery.  My PCP and the Neurosurgeon both agree that I have myelomalacia from c-5 through c-7 (determined from an MRI done 2 months after the surgery.  They didn't say how bad it was or what to expect.  The PCP said since it was caused from the accident it should not progress.  That it would only progress if it were caused from a degenerative disease.  I do have degenerative disc disease according to the MRI that was done 1 year after the accident.  I was not aware of any disease before the accident.  Does it follow that if you have degenerative disc disease that was exacerbated by an accident that you may have a neurological degenerative disease in the spinal cord also exacerbated by the accident?  Is it correct that if there is no disease it will not progress?  What are the symptoms I should look for if it starts getting worse?  There also seems to be differing opinions as to weather it accounts for the pain I have in my neck, shoulders, arms, hands and legs. My PCP and Neurosurgeon say it certainly accounts for the pain but, a doc and the rehab center says it does not account for the pain especially in my legs.  What is the general standing on pain with myelomalacia?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.   My Sincere Thanks, Rosemary

[discusted324]

A related discussion, Headache and heart pounding in head after neck surgery. was started.

[tsimpson]

Hi, I was also involved in a car accident. I had c-3,c-4,c-5 fused and plated. But now have pain, numbness, and I itched in upper back and neck. I also was diagnosed as myleo(forgot how to spell it). Wondering what that means? I also had severe spinal cord compression. Tracy

[Hurry up and wait]

Mck129, I was rearended 14 months ago. 13 months after my accident I finally had a MRI scan and it said I had a large herniated disk at C5-6 with cord compression and root compression at C6. It also showed Myelomalacia. The physiatrist I see said that this was most likely caused by my accident. I am not working at this time but would love to get back to work. I am wondering if I am ever going to work again. I was also wondering if this is going to progress. I do not like the sound of it so far. I have always been active and I do want to ski again. At this point in time I am doing nothing and hate it. I am waiting to see a neurosurgeon to see about surgery now. I have to tell you that my excruciating pain that I had in my back and neck is gone. That alone is such a relief.  Instead, I am very stiff and I get a burning in my shoulder and spasm in my rib area. My arms and hands feel very week and my hips hurt. I limp after i get up from sitting. I hope the surgery comes quick and I feel better soon and can get back to doing things again. I would like to know how you are doing.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. Please keep in mind that I cannot accurately comment on your condition as I have not personally reviewed your films nor have I examined you.  Myelomalacia is a general term for softening of the spinal cord and can be due to a number of different conditions including disc disease.  In your particular case, it seemed to have stem from the disc injury sustained from the car accident.  The damage as you describe are only limited to the areas of the involved discs.  Therefore it is unlikely that you have a primary neurodegen disease which would be more spread out throughout the spinal cord. In terms of progression, it should not extend beyond the affected areas. However, the existing area of encephalomalacia can begin to shrink if there was extensive disease from the cord impingement. This could result in weakness of your arm muscles, but the myelomalacia itself does not typically cause any kind of pain symptoms.  If the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord were involved at all,t hen yes it can cause pain but not the cord itself.  It also shouldn't affect the symtpoms of pain in your legs.
HOpe that helps.