Around one million UK adults may be living with cervical myelopathy, a spinal condition that is frequently mistaken for signs of old age, according to a BBC expert. Dr Tom Naylor, speaking on BBC Morning Live, warned that symptoms such as loss of dexterity, leg weakness and balance problems should not be dismissed as part of getting older.
What is cervical myelopathy?
Cervical myelopathy occurs when there is spinal cord compression in the cervical spine, or neck. It can affect both men and women, and despite its name, it has nothing to do with the womb. Dr Naylor, an orthopaedic registrar who has worked as a full-time NHS doctor since graduating in 2015, explained that the name often causes confusion.
"A team in Cambridge estimated it affects one million UK adults," which is around 1 in 25 people over the age of 75, Dr Tom said. He added: "A lot of people think about cervical being related to the uterus and the womb, but it comes from the Latin for neck."
Recognising the symptoms
Dr Tom warned that symptoms are often missed or dismissed as part of "getting older". One warning sign is a loss of dexterity in the hands, which can make everyday activities increasingly difficult. People may struggle to fasten shirt buttons, tie shoelaces, turn a key in a lock, or grip objects properly.
Other symptoms include pins and needles or tingling in the arms and legs, particularly in the hands and fingertips, which may be especially noticeable when both hands are affected. Some people may also experience weakness or heaviness in their legs, making walking feel unusual or difficult.
When to see a GP
Dr Tom urges people not to brush it off and to seek help if worried. He explained: "It is important to get assessed by a GP because there are a variety of symptoms that can be due to a lot of things, but if you’re having new or persistent clumsiness, weakness, loss of balance, falls without causes - it’s useful to keep a diary to build up over time of what’s been going on and then take it to a GP."
"But if you have a sudden major weakness and suddenly you can’t walk, you can’t get out of bed - something that changes really quickly, especially that’s affecting your coordination - that’s something that I would suggest you see somebody more urgently, so rather than waiting for a routine GP appointment, seek urgent care through the NHS 111" or similar.
Treatment options
The condition can worsen if left untreated, which is why recognising symptoms early is important. Physiotherapy may help manage certain difficulties, including balance problems, but it cannot relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Dr Tom said: "The early symptoms can be treated early with physiotherapy like the balance issues."
He explained that the definitive treatment for spinal cord compression is surgery to relieve the pressure, where clinically appropriate. The aim is to prevent further damage. Not everyone with the condition will require an operation, and specialists will assess the severity of symptoms and scan findings before deciding on the most appropriate treatment.
