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Shunt Inserted In Spine. What Is The Long Term Effects Of Hydromyelia?
Posted on
Thu, 4 Apr 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 4 Apr 2013
Answered on
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : What is the long term effects of Hydromyelia. Is it fatal or progressive? A shunt has been inserted to her spine, she continues to have pain both legs are paralysed
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Hydromyelia by itself is generally not fatal. It causes problems by expanding and destroying nerves of the spinal cord around the cavity of hydromyelia. It is progressive disease in most of the cases and shunt surgery is aimed at stopping or slowing the progression of the cavity. In long term her paralysis may increase and it may extend to involve arms and hands also (though very very slowly over many years). The pain needs to be taken care of with medications. Apart from that physiotherapy and prevention of complications due to bed-bound condition is most important.
Hope that answers your question. If there are more queries, I will be happy to answer.
Good luck.
Thanks for the query.
Hydromyelia by itself is generally not fatal. It causes problems by expanding and destroying nerves of the spinal cord around the cavity of hydromyelia. It is progressive disease in most of the cases and shunt surgery is aimed at stopping or slowing the progression of the cavity. In long term her paralysis may increase and it may extend to involve arms and hands also (though very very slowly over many years). The pain needs to be taken care of with medications. Apart from that physiotherapy and prevention of complications due to bed-bound condition is most important.
Hope that answers your question. If there are more queries, I will be happy to answer.
Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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