What is the difference between cervical myelopathy and cervical radiculopathy?

Cervical myelopathy and cervical radiculopathy are nerve-related conditions affecting the neck and/or spinal cord. Cervical myelopathy is a condition where the spinal cord within the neck is injured or compressed. In cervical radiculopathy, the nerve roots in the cervical spine are damaged.

Is cervical radiculopathy the same as neuropathy?

Neuropathy, also called peripheral neuropathy, is often mistaken for radiculopathy because of the overlapping symptoms. However, where radiculopathy occurs at the root, neuropathy actually refers to the damage of a single nerve or multiple nerves in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord).

Are myelopathy and radiculopathy the same?

Myelopathy is the result of spinal cord compression. The difference is that myelopathy affects the entire spinal cord. In comparison, radiculopathy refers to compression on an individual nerve root. However, myelopathy may sometimes be accompanied by radiculopathy.

How is myelopathy different from radiculopathy?

Myelopathy Versus Radiculopathy Radiculopathy is the term used to describe pinching of the nerve roots as they exit the spinal cord or cross the intervertebral disc, rather than the compression of the cord itself (myelopathy).

What is the difference between cervical stenosis and cervical radiculopathy?

Spinal cord or nerve function may be affected, causing symptoms of cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy. (Cervical stenosis is the name for the actual narrowing of the canal, while cervical myelopathy indicates injury to the spinal cord and its function.)

What is radiculopathy vs neuropathy?

Radiculopathy Versus Neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy is the damage of the peripheral nervous system, such as carpal tunnel syndrome that involves trapped nerves in the wrist. Radiculopathy is the pinching of the nerves at the root, which sometimes can also produce pain, weakness and numbness in the wrist and hand.

How can you tell the difference between peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy?

Although both deal with nerve damage, the difference comes down to the location of the problem. If there is damage at or near the nerve’s root along the spine, it is considered radiculopathy. Neuropathy is damage outside of the spinal cord in the peripheral nerves.

What is myelopathy of the cervical spine?

Cervical myelopathy results from compression of the spinal cord in the neck (cervical area of the spine). Symptoms of cervical myelopathy may include problems with fine motor skills, pain or stiffness in the neck, loss of balance, and trouble walking.

Can cervical myelopathy cause neuropathy?

The spinal cord can become compressed by narrowing of the spinal canal (cervical stenosis), disc herniations, and/or bone spurs. The symptoms of cervical myelopathy can be similar to the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, cubital tunnel syndrome, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

What’s myelopathy and radiculopathy?

Myelopathy vs Radiculopathy While myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord itself, radiculopathy is compression of the nerve roots that branch off from the spine and run to other parts of the body. Radiculopathy causes pain that radiates to other parts of the body.

Is radiculopathy considered neuropathic pain?

Spinal disorders, including radiculopathy due to disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or spinal cord injury, are common causes of neuropathic pain.