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Hand wasting in spondylotic high cord compression: an electromyographic study
Annals of Neurology
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Spinal canal narrowing in the neck (cervical spondylosis) can cause hand muscle weakness. Electromyography showed nerve changes consistent with poor blood flow due to venous congestion.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Cervical spondylosis, a degenerative condition of the spine, can lead to spinal cord compression.
- Understanding the specific patterns of nerve dysfunction is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- Two patients with hand wasting due to cervical spondylosis underwent electromyographic (EMG) studies.
- EMG revealed distinct patterns of nerve signal abnormalities in different muscle groups.
Findings:
- Nerve changes were most severe in hand muscles (C8, T1) and moderate in the extensor digitorum communis (C7).
- Muscles associated with C5 and C6 nerve roots showed relatively less severe changes.
- This topographical gradation suggests stagnant hypoxia from venous congestion within the cervical spinal cord.
Implications:
- The findings highlight a specific pattern of nerve damage in cervical spondylosis related to venous congestion.
- Electromyography can help differentiate the severity and location of nerve involvement.
- This understanding may guide targeted therapeutic strategies for spinal cord protection in cervical spondylosis.