What Is a Myelopathy?
6. Diagnosis
Your doctor may give you tests to measure the nerve function in your arms and legs. This provides an idea of how well the signals are communicating between your brain and your extremities. An MRI scan allows the doctor to observe the soft tissues of the spinal cord. This has become a vital tool in diagnosing myelopathy, but not everyone is able to have it.
If you cannot have an MRI, your doctor may conduct myelography instead. This can reveal spinal cord abnormalities by injecting a contrast medium and taking a scan using fluoroscopy, which is a special X-ray that allows the doctor to see images in real time. Plain film X-rays and CT exams may be useful in identifying osteophytes or other bone abnormalities. Your doctor will also conduct a physical examination and ask you questions about your symptoms.
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