Spinal cord disorder

Spinal cord disorders are conditions that cause damage and deterioration to the spinal cord, a tubelike structure that consists of a bundle of nerves within the backbone (vertebrae). The spinal cord extends from the base of the brain and down your back, carrying messages from the brain to the rest of your body.

Spinal cord disorders can include vertebral fractures, tumors, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or herniated disc disorders. They also may include a spinal cord abscess, spinal hematomas, and other conditions.

These disorders can be painful and may interfere with daily life, but therapies can help you feel better and stay active. Penn Medicine’s spine care specialists are experts at evaluating spinal disorders and creating a treatment strategy that fits your lifestyle and helps you live with less pain.

Your symptoms can vary based on which area of the spinal cord is damaged. The spinal cord is divided into four areas: cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back region), lumbar (lower back region), and sacral (pelvis).

Your symptoms also depend on which nerve roots are involved. Nerve roots are where your spinal nerves connect to areas of your body through the spaces in your vertebrae. There are two types of nerve roots in your spine. The motor root carries signals from the spinal cord to your muscles to stimulate movement. The sensory root relays information related to sensations like touch, pain, and temperature from your body to your spinal cord.

Sensory roots relay messages to different areas of the skin's surface, called dermatomes. The loss of sensation in a dermatome can indicate a spinal cord disorder, which allows doctors to locate the specific area where the spinal cord may be damaged.

General symptoms of a spinal cord disorder include: 

• Weakness or paralysis of limbs
• Loss of sensation
• Changes in reflexes
• Loss of urinary or bowel control
• Uncontrolled muscle spasms
• Back pain

Spinal cord disorders can originate from either outside or inside the spinal cord. Damage from the outside of the cord is caused by compression of the spinal cord or injury. The spinal cord may be compressed due to a bone fracture, spinal degeneration, or abnormalities, such as a hematoma, tumor or herniated disk.

Damage from inside the spinal cord can be caused by a number of disorders, such as:

• Fluid-filled cavities
• Blockage of blood supply
• Vitamin deficiency
• Autoimmune diseases
• Multiple sclerosis
• Syphilis

Treatment for spinal cord disorders depends on the location and severity of the condition. Sometimes modifying your activities can help reduce your symptoms. Medications can help control issues like bowel and bladder dysfunction, pain, muscle spasticity, and other health issues caused by spinal cord disorders. Your doctor may recommend physical and occupational therapy to help relieve pain and improve your mobility. For some, the causes of their spinal cord disorder may be irreversible, but treatment can help prevent further complications.

Sometimes surgery is needed. At Penn Medicine, we have skilled neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who perform thousands of spine surgeries every year, using minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible. Whatever the cause of your spinal cord disorder, we’re here to provide expert care to help you heal.