Neck Pain / Myelopathy / Upper Extremity Radiculopathy · scheduled consultation
Cervical Myelopathy & Balance Changes
Consultation when hand clumsiness, gait difficulty, balance instability, weakness, or cervical imaging raises concern for spinal-cord compression.
When consultation may help
Bring the concern into focus.
Symptoms, imaging, prior care, function, and goals are organized into one clear clinical question.
Unsteady gait, falls, or balance change
↗Arm or leg stiffness, weakness, or numbness
↗Cord compression or signal change reported on MRI
↗Prepare for the review
Bring the evidence—not only the label.
Cervical MRI and report
Timeline of gait, hand, and balance changes
Prior neurologic, orthopedic, or therapy evaluations
Medication, fall, and mobility-assistance history
How this concern is approached.
Because spinal-cord symptoms can be progressive, the visit emphasizes the neurologic examination, pace of change, imaging, safety, and a clear discussion of timing.
Understand the decision
The details that shape the plan.
How is myelopathy different from a pinched nerve?
Myelopathy concerns spinal-cord function rather than an individual nerve root. In the neck, cord compression can affect hand coordination, walking and balance. Symptoms may develop gradually, so seemingly small functional changes are important to describe.
What does the evaluation look for?
The examination assesses strength, reflexes, sensation and walking. Imaging helps identify where the cord is compressed. The pace of change and effect on daily function are central to decisions about treatment and timing.
What should treatment expectations cover?
Ask whether the main goal is to prevent further decline, improve symptoms or both. Recovery is individual and existing deficits may not fully resolve. New or rapidly worsening weakness or walking difficulty needs prompt assessment rather than waiting for routine follow-up.
A disciplined visit
Listen. Review. Explain. Plan.
Listen
Clarify symptoms, timing, prior care, health history, daily impact, and goals.
Review
Place actual imaging, reports, comparison studies, and records in clinical context.
Explain
Translate the finding, real uncertainty, and reasonable options into plain language.
Plan
Define who owns testing, follow-up, referral, conservative care, or surgery when appropriate.
Leadership behind the care
Clinical focus. Operational discipline.
Dr. Stacey E. Podkovik
Dr. Podkovik leads neurosurgical evaluation across brain and spine concerns, connecting symptoms, imaging, prior care, and patient goals into a careful clinical interpretation and practical next step.
Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA
Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA, supports the practice through physician-led management, care coordination, and reliable systems. Dr. Stacey Podkovik leads neurosurgical evaluation and treatment.
When symptoms should not wait.
A sudden inability to walk, rapidly worsening weakness, major trauma, new loss of bladder or bowel control, or abrupt neurologic change requires emergency evaluation.
Sources behind this overview
Patient education from established clinical organizations.
These links support the general educational overview. They do not replace a clinician’s interpretation of an individual history, examination, or imaging.
Continue exploring
Every pathway stays connected.
01Back Pain, Sciatica & Leg WeaknessExplore02Lumbar Spinal StenosisExplore03Herniated Lumbar DiscExplore04Spondylolisthesis & Spinal InstabilityExplore05Neck Pain & Arm RadiculopathyExplore06Cervical Myelopathy & Balance ChangesYou are here07Brain Tumors & Intracranial CystsExplore08Hydrocephalus & Shunt CareExplore09Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus & IIHExplore10Neurotrauma Follow-Up & Brace ClearanceExplore11Imaging Review & Incidental FindingsExplore12Neurosurgical Second OpinionsExplore
General educational information only. This page does not replace a medical evaluation. Calling the office, using the navigator, or reading this page does not establish a physician-patient relationship. The Care Navigator is scripted and does not diagnose or triage.