Overview

What Are Cervical Myelopathy and Cervical Radiculopathy?

Cervical myelopathy is a loss of function in your upper and lower extremities because of compression of the spinal cord within your neck. Cervical myelopathy can involve your arms, hands, legs, and bowel and bladder function.

Cervical radiculopathy, often called a "pinched nerve," occurs when a nerve in your neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from your spinal cord. This can cause pain that radiates into your shoulder, as well as muscle weakness and numbness that travels down your arm and into your hand.