Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I have recieved a letter from my neurosurgeon stating i have a large c4/5 disc protrusion causing canal compromise and myelomalacia in the cord! Could you please explain what canal compromise and myelomalacia are please im 24 years of age and dont understand the terms when i have read from websites thanks
[|AI|]  Hello and welcome to Chat Doctor, The bones of the spine - which are called vertebrae and their processes create a spinal canal - which is like a tube going down from the lower part of the head all the way down to the back of the pelvis. Inside the spinal canal there runs a spinal cord which is a structure made of nervous tissue. A disc is a small structure between your vertebral bodies - like a cushion. Sometimes a disc can slip out of its usual place - due to injury or for other reasons. This is also called disc herniation or disc protrusion. A herniated disc presses on the spinal cord inside the spinal canal. Because the size of the canal is now smaller due to the protruding disc inside the spinal canal - this is what is called the "canal compromise". Myelomalacia means that your spinal cord - the nervous tissue is damaged - the location of the damage at c4/5 means that it is in your cervical spine at the level between 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae - which is your neck area. You probably saw the neurosurgeon because you were having some symptoms in your arms like tingling /numbness or even weakness - perhaps Chat Doctor. Myelomalacia is a serious medical condition, and you should contact your surgeon as soon as possible. Hope I answered your question. Regards and best of health.