What if the myelogram is normal?
The purpose of the myelogram is to identify pressure on the spinal cord. If the myelogram is normal, there is no pressure on the spinal cord. This has several important implications. First, it means that surgery will generally not be appropriate because the purpose of surgery is to relieve the pressure from the cord. Second, it means that one of the following conditions is likely to exist. • Spinal Shock. This is a temporary loss of spinal function that is generally associated with trauma. It occurs suddenly and is somewhat like a concussion of the brain. It may leave permanent damage, or full recovery may occur. Recovery from spinal shock generally occurs within a few hours to a few days. • Fibrocartilaginous Infarct or Embolism. In this condition, a small amount of disk material ruptures and gets into one of the blood vessels leading to the spinal cord. As the vessel narrows, the disk material obstructs it, depriving a certain segment of the spinal cord of its blood supply. Without p
