Which symptom is NOT associated with cervical myelopathy?

Which symptom is NOT associated with cervical myelopathy?

• A. Increased pain with activity
• B. Gait changes
• C. Positive Babinski sign
• D. Hoffmann's sign

Answer: (A)

Cervical myelopathy typically presents with a range of symptoms that result from compression or irritation of the spinal cord in the cervical region. It most commonly leads to neurological deficits that can manifest as gait disturbances, upper and lower extremity weakness, sensory changes, and reflex abnormalities. Gait changes represent a classic symptom of cervical myelopathy as individuals may experience issues with balance and coordination due to spinal cord involvement. The positive Babinski sign is a reflex response indicating upper motor neuron lesions, which can occur with cervical myelopathy. Similarly, Hoffmann's sign is indicative of upper motor neuron dysfunction and is also a common finding in patients with cervical cord compression. In contrast, increased pain with activity is less characteristic of cervical myelopathy. While some patients may experience discomfort, it is not a defining symptom of the condition. Instead, cervical myelopathy is more associated with neurological deficits rather than an increase in pain with activity, which could more typically relate to musculoskeletal issues rather than spinal cord pathology. This distinction helps clarify why increased pain with activity is not aligned with the classical presentation of cervical myelopathy.

Cervical myelopathy typically presents with a range of symptoms that result from compression or irritation of the spinal cord in the cervical region. It most commonly leads to neurological deficits that can manifest as gait disturbances, upper and lower extremity weakness, sensory changes, and reflex abnormalities.

Gait changes represent a classic symptom of cervical myelopathy as individuals may experience issues with balance and coordination due to spinal cord involvement. The positive Babinski sign is a reflex response indicating upper motor neuron lesions, which can occur with cervical myelopathy. Similarly, Hoffmann's sign is indicative of upper motor neuron dysfunction and is also a common finding in patients with cervical cord compression.

In contrast, increased pain with activity is less characteristic of cervical myelopathy. While some patients may experience discomfort, it is not a defining symptom of the condition. Instead, cervical myelopathy is more associated with neurological deficits rather than an increase in pain with activity, which could more typically relate to musculoskeletal issues rather than spinal cord pathology. This distinction helps clarify why increased pain with activity is not aligned with the classical presentation of cervical myelopathy.