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Suggest Treatment For Myelomalacia Edema
Question: Hi - My mother has been diagnosed with myelomalacia/cord edema. She is 69 years old and had hip surgery 7 months back to fix a fracture from a fall. Her recovery had been close to nothing since the surgery and we decided to get an MRI done. the mri resulted in the diagnosis above. Could you help me understand what are the treatment options and what is the success rate of each of the options?
Brief Answer:
Decision is based on symptoms she has
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.To help you further I would like to know-
1.Is she able to walk around?
2.what about bladder and bowel control,that is any bed wetting?
We have two options for her,first is with drugs like pregablin and methyl prednisolone to reduce pain and swelling at the site of cord compression,provided the answer to above question is NO.
Second option is to remove the pressure causing the cord compression that is by surgery.
Hope this helps.
Take care
Decision is based on symptoms she has
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.To help you further I would like to know-
1.Is she able to walk around?
2.what about bladder and bowel control,that is any bed wetting?
We have two options for her,first is with drugs like pregablin and methyl prednisolone to reduce pain and swelling at the site of cord compression,provided the answer to above question is NO.
Second option is to remove the pressure causing the cord compression that is by surgery.
Hope this helps.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Chugh,
Thanks for the prompt response. The symptoms are in line with what you suggested -
1. Since her last hip surgery, her progress has been close to nothing. That is, she is able to stand with a lot of support and can barely bear weight on her legs for a minute or so. She had started walking a little 6 months back but hasnt for the last 3 months.
2. She has a little bit of urinal incontinence. This symptom started 3-4 weeks back. Some off the shelf medication prescribed by the general practitioner has helped but the bed wetting continues.
3. She doesnt have any pain in the spinal area. The neurologist we referred to suggests that her inability to walk and the incontinence are related to the spinal compression. He is suggesting laminectomy as the surgery to potentially fix this issue. I would like to understand if surgery is the only option and what is the success rate?
Thanks for the prompt response. The symptoms are in line with what you suggested -
1. Since her last hip surgery, her progress has been close to nothing. That is, she is able to stand with a lot of support and can barely bear weight on her legs for a minute or so. She had started walking a little 6 months back but hasnt for the last 3 months.
2. She has a little bit of urinal incontinence. This symptom started 3-4 weeks back. Some off the shelf medication prescribed by the general practitioner has helped but the bed wetting continues.
3. She doesnt have any pain in the spinal area. The neurologist we referred to suggests that her inability to walk and the incontinence are related to the spinal compression. He is suggesting laminectomy as the surgery to potentially fix this issue. I would like to understand if surgery is the only option and what is the success rate?
Brief Answer:
Surgery mostly is safe and has good outcome
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are welcome
I have gone through your reply and surgery looks to be the only option.This is a routine surgery and mostly it is safe and has good to excellent result depending on the amount of viable nervous tissue in view of myelomacia changes.
Surgery is the only hope to make her walk again.
My best wishes are with her.
Take care
Surgery mostly is safe and has good outcome
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are welcome
I have gone through your reply and surgery looks to be the only option.This is a routine surgery and mostly it is safe and has good to excellent result depending on the amount of viable nervous tissue in view of myelomacia changes.
Surgery is the only hope to make her walk again.
My best wishes are with her.
Take care
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Mukesh Chugh
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1997
Answered : 1619 Questions
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