Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Weakness in arms or legs
- Trouble walking or balance changes
- Numbness or hand clumsiness
- Loss of fine motor coordination
- In severe cases, bowel or bladder changes (urgent)
Spinal
Cord Compression .
A condition where pressure on the spinal cord interferes with nerve signals. Symptoms may include weakness, balance difficulty, coordination problems, numbness, or hand clumsiness and typically requires prompt medical evaluation.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Cervical or Thoracic spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
4
LA offices
Region
Cervical or Thoracic
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Spinal Cord Compression at a glance
- What it is: A condition where pressure on the spinal cord interferes with nerve signals. Symptoms may include weakness, balance difficulty, coordination problems, numbness, or hand clumsiness and typically requires prompt medical evaluation.
- Common symptoms: Weakness in arms or legs; Trouble walking or balance changes; Numbness or hand clumsiness.
- First-line treatment: Urgent specialist evaluation — Cord compression often warrants timely evaluation — sometimes surgery on a short timeline.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding spinal cord compression
Causes
Common causes
- Cervical or thoracic stenosis
- Large disc herniation
- Tumors or epidural masses
- Trauma
- Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Urgent specialist evaluation — Cord compression often warrants timely evaluation — sometimes surgery on a short timeline.
- Postoperative rehabilitation — Recovery focuses on strength, balance, and fine motor function.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Cervical laminoplasty — Motion-preserving decompression of the cervical cord.
- Decompression with fusion — When instability is present, decompression combined with fusion may be safer.
Common questions
About spinal cord compression.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Cervical Laminoplasty
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreSpinal Decompression
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreSpinal Fusion
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreRobotic Spine Surgery
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreReady when you are
Get clarity on your spinal cord compression today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.