Information for patients diagnosed with cervical stenosis or mild myelopathy at North Bristol NHS Trust.
Many people have a mix of neck pain, arm pain, numbness, or weakness. These symptoms can be distressing, but do not always need urgent medical attention. A exception is Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM). This is rare but can be serious.
Symptoms include:
- Clumsy or weak hands.
- Loss of dexterity (for example difficulty with handwriting, buttoning clothes, or using cutlery).
- Heaviness or feeling more unsteady with walking.
- Patches of numbness in the arms, legs, or trunk (torso).
- Change in your bowel or bladder control.
Myelopathy means the spinal cord is not working properly. It is most often caused by pressure on the cord from changes in the spine as you age (degenerative). Most of the time symptoms develop slowly. In rare cases symptoms can progress suddenly. This can lead to permanent nerve damage or disability.
Spotting this early and having treatment can stop things getting worse.
If you develop new or worsening symptoms (listed above):
Please phone the Neurosurgery Team on 0117 424 7493
The Neurosurgery team will often monitor your symptoms for a period of time. If you are being monitored, you will be given a date when then monitoring period ends. If you have new or worsening symptoms after this date, you should contact your GP.
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published September 2025. Review due September 2028. NBT003797.
Support your local hospital charity
See the impact we make across our hospitals and how you can be a part of it.
