Editing Syringomyelia (section)

===Non-surgical interventions===
Surgery is not always recommended for syringomyelia patients. While there is no medication which can cure the condition, for many patients, the main treatment is [[analgesia]] to manage the symptoms. Physicians specializing in pain management can develop a medication and treatment plan to ameliorate pain. Medications to combat any neuropathic pain symptoms such as shooting and stabbing pains (e.g. [[gabapentin]] or [[pregabalin]]) would be first-line choices. Opiates are usually prescribed for pain for management of this condition. Conversely, [[facet joint injections]] are not indicated for the treatment of syringomyelia.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Schug |first1=Stephan A. |title=Treatment of Neuropathic Pain |date=2011 |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534257/ |work=Mechanisms of Vascular Disease: A Reference Book for Vascular Specialists |editor-last=Fitridge |editor-first=Robert |place=Adelaide (AU) |publisher=University of Adelaide Press |isbn=978-0-9871718-2-5 |pmid=30485013 |access-date=2022-11-14 |last2=Stannard |first2=Kathryn JD |editor2-last=Thompson |editor2-first=Matthew}}</ref>

[[Radiation]] is rare, but may be used if a tumor is involved. In these cases, it can halt the extension of a cavity and may help to alleviate pain.<ref>{{cite book |title=Syringomyelia |date=January 1994 |publisher=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health |location=University of California Riverside |pages=4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Y_oUJDUHtcC&dq=Drugs+have+no+curative+value+as+a+treatment+for+syringomyelia.+Radiation+is+used+rarely,+and+is+of+little+benefit+except+in+the+presence+of+a+tumor.+In+these+cases,+it+can+halt+the+extension+of+a+cavity+and+may+help+to+alleviate+pain&pg=PP6 |access-date=April 19, 2022}}</ref>

Treatment is usually reserved for cases which are causing symptoms. Treatment may not provide enough benefits to be recommended for elderly patients, or when symptoms are stable instead of worsening. Whether treated or not, many patients are advised to avoid activities that involve straining.<ref name="NINDS Syringomyelia">{{cite web |title=Syringomyelia |url=https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/syringomyelia |website=National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke }}</ref>

A conservative approach may be recommended, as the natural history of syringomyelia is not yet well understood. When surgery is not currently advised, patients are monitored with regular physical evaluations and MRI's.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kanga |first1=Ismat |last2=Wong |first2=Jessica J. |last3=Stern |first3=Paula J. |date=2014 |title=Detection of syringomyelia in a pediatric patient with mild scoliosis: a case report |journal=The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association |volume=58 |issue=1 |pages=16–23 |pmc=3924508 |pmid=24587493 }}</ref>