Myelopathy Matters

Dr Michael Fehlings, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto, draws on his extensive clinical trial experience, to share what he thinks ensures success; from the design, to the conduct and its implementation. This is part of a special 'Research Top Tips' series, from Myelopathy Matters (Myelopathy.org) and AO Spine RECODE-DCM, as they work together to accelerate knowledge discovery...

Dr Brian Kwon, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of British Columbia in Canada, draws on his vast experience of grant writing to share his top tips for success. This is part of a special 'Research Top Tips' series, from Myelopathy Matters (Myelopathy.org) and AO Spine RECODE-DCM, as they work together to accelerate knowledge discovery that can change outcomes in DCM.

Iwan and Ben are joined by Dr Deepak Ravindran, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesiae, following the release of his book - The pain free mindset: 7 Steps to Taking Control and Overcoming Chronic Pain. They discuss our evolving understanding of what pain means, why are approach to managing pain needs to change, and how one might apply this framework day to day.

Iwan and Ben are joined by the Chief Investigator of the CSM-S Trial, the first randomised controlled trial of anterior surgery (surgery from the front of the neck) versus posterior surgery(surgery from the back of the neck), to discuss its findings and implications for care. Its a story of perhaps overlooked challenges and overlooked opportunities for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Ben and Iwan, are joined by Celine Parathasarathy (University of Cambridge) and Aria Nouri (Surgeon Scientist, Geneve University Hospital) as they discuss a potential role for nutrition on improving care and outcomes in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy. Could nutrition be a simple disease modifying therapy?

Ben and Iwan talk explore why patient education is so crucial to improving care in myelopathy. They hear from Spine Surgeon Rory Murphy and Medical Illustrator Peter Lawrence who have been developing resources to tackle this at the Barrow Neurological Institute. They also look ahead to a new project from Myelopathy.org called 'DCM COINS or DCM Core Information Sets, with Rishi Umeria, to see if a...

"You are just getting older" - Or is it? Ben and Iwan explore the significance of age to the onset and treatment of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy, with guests Dr Jamie Wilson (University Nebraska Medical Centre) and Ben Grodzinski (University of Cambridge). Some of the research discussed in this PodCast can be found at these links: Grodzinski et al 2021 10.1093/ageing/afaa236 Wilson et al 2019...

Ben and Iwan continue their interview with Dr Abdul Lalkhen, a Consultant in Pain Medicine at Salford Royal Foundation Trust and visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, turning their attention to current and future management, including the role of medical cannabis.

Ben and Iwan are joined this month by Dr Abdul Lalkhen, a Consultant in Pain Medicine at Salford Royal Foundation Trust and visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, to discuss how we experience pain and why it can persist long after an injury has supposedly healed.

Ben Davies is joined by Co-Founder Iwan Sadler, as they explore the potential and significant financial consequences that can arise as a result of myelopathy, with guest Shirley Widdop. Shirley is a former nurse, disabled by myelopathy and now campaigning against relative poverty. She provides a deep insight into how people can access financial support in the UK.

Ben and Michelle close the year by speaking with Olesja Hazenbiller and Kaija Kurki-Suonio of AO Spine, who are important driving forces behind RECODE-DCM. They tell us about this important model for making progress in an area of medicine. We also hear from the project's expert in Knowledge Translation, Lisa Petermann, about the importance of this ongoing aspect of the work. Wishing everyone a gre...

In this last episode, Michelle and Ben tackle the No. 10 priority, individualising surgery for DCM. The information specialist for AO Spine RECODE-DCM, Dr Lindsay Tetreault, delves into datasets that can best inform surgical decision-making and predict outcome. Then for an inspirational final note, we shine a light on an uplifting case-study from the perspectives of both the spine surgeon, Dr Jame...

In this episode, Michelle and Ben focus on the No. 9 priority, Imaging and Neurophysiology. Spine surgeon Bizhan Aarabi defines the capability of current techniques to deliver the objective, quantitative information on structure and function of the cervical spine that is required for accurate prognostication. Person with DCM Rosie Hillman gives her first-hand insight into interpretation of test re...

Focussing on the No. 8 priority, the Socio-Economic Impact of DCM, Michelle and Ben first talk to Shirley Widdop, who lives with DCM. Shirley brings a broad experience of the profound financial impact of DCM, both from her own perspective and also anecdotally from the international online support group. We hear from spine surgeons Andreas Demetriades, who explores healthcare inequalities, and Mich...

Novel therapies for DCM are the No. 7 priority explored by Michelle and Ben. Ricardo Rodrigues-Pinto outlines our current limitations and the potential spectrum of advances, from biological treatments to assistive technologies. Annie Wandycz shares her lived experience of therapies for DCM, her frustrations and optimism, and her helpful perspectives from the online support group. Mark Kotter expla...

The No. 6 priority is to determine the role of rehabilitation in DCM, both pre- and post-surgery. Michelle and Ben ask Tim Boerger, a clinical research student who has had surgery for his DCM, to share his experience of peri-operative rehabilitation. Julio Furlan talks about existing rehabilitation strategies in spinal cord injury and how they might be translated to this highly variable patient gr...

In this episode, Michelle and Ben focus on the No 5 priority, defining the biological basis of DCM. Surgeon and scientist Mark Kotter explores how degenerative pathology translates to clinical symptomatology. Ellen Sarewitz, who lives with DCM, uses her medical communications background to pinpoint knowledge gaps and endorse multi-stakeholder solutions. Scientist James Fawcett encourages synergy b...

The No 4 Priority of the RECODE-DCM project is advancing techniques for Assessment and Monitoring of DCM. Michelle and Ben hear Paige Howard's perspective as someone living with DCM, sharing her past experiences, her fears and her hopes for the future. Spine Surgeon Paul Koljonen and Physiotherapist Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan give their expert input regarding current techniques, critical knowledge gaps...

Accelerating and improving the diagnosis of DCM is the No 3 priority of the AO Spine RECODE-DCM project. Michelle and Ben speak to Iwan Sadler, who struggled with the progressive symptoms of DCM for a decade with no diagnosis, prompting him to set up his own online support group. Surgeons Dr James Harrop and Dr Brian Kwon discuss the difficulties of diagnosing DCM today and consider some promising...

Tackling the No 1 priority of the AO Spine RECODE-DCM project, Michelle and Ben address the challenges and potential solutions for raising awareness of DCM throughout the medical community and the general public. They explore the perspectives of spine surgeons Dr Michael Fehlings and Dr Mark Kotter, and family practitioner Dr James Milligan, as well as Tammy Blizzard, who's a person living with ce...

Tackling the No 2 priority of the AO Spine RECODE-DCM project, Michelle and Ben examine our current understanding of the natural history of DCM and the factors that influence the development and progression of the disease. In conversation with spine surgeons Dr Jefferson Wilson and Dr Brian Kwon, as well as Lady Julia Carter who lives with cervical myelopathy, they highlight the key knowledge gaps...

From next week, the Myelopathy Matters stream will be taken over for ten weekly special podcasts about an important international project to direct future research into DCM. This special episode of Myelopathy Matters introduces the project and what it hopes to deliver for people living with and working with DCM. Michelle and Ben discuss RECODE-DCM with chief investigator Dr Mark Kotter.

Ben and Michelle discuss the upcoming series of special podcasts on the RECODE-DCM project, which brings people with DCM and medical experts together to direct future research. Ben interviews myelopathy pioneer Michael Fehlings about his career and the future of myelopathy research and treatment.

In this episode, we meet two of the trustees and hear about how the charity works and what its ambitions are for the year ahead.

We speak to Aria Nouri about the origin of the name Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and Tim Boerger about the word "patient".