Spinal cord compression is an extremely serious disorder that can have devastating consequences. These include weakness of the legs, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and loss of sensation.

Rapid diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference to the outcome - so it is vital that we get the diagnosis and management of this condition right.

In this BMJ Best Practice podcast on spinal cord compression, Kieran Walsh talks with Professor Kenneth Casey, Clinical Associate Professor in Neurosurgery at Michigan State University and Clinical Associate Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Competing interests: none declared