Patients with spinal cord compression often have a slow onset and early symptoms are not obvious, so they often wait until their condition worsens before seeking medical attention, which can affect their prognosis.
Therefore, when a patient develops symptoms related to spinal cord compression, he or she should be examined in hospital to determine whether spinal cord compression is present. Some patients with acute onset and rapid progression of the disease, with symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction appearing very early, should seek urgent medical attention immediately to avoid delaying treatment.