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Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck area or upper part of the spine that results from degeneration of various structures in the cervical spine. This condition results in narrowing of the spinal canal which in turn causes pressure on the nerve roots and often the spinal cord. Cervical stenosis may or may not be associated with neck pain. When the pressure on the spinal cord becomes significant, patients may develop a condition called cervical myelopathy. Common symptoms of cervical stenosis are as follows:
- Pain, weakness, or numbness in the shoulders, arms, and legs
- Neck pain
- Hand clumsiness
- Gait and balance disturbances
- Treatment for cervical radiculopathy
Diagnosis of Cervical Spinal Stenosis
In order to obtain an accurate diagnosis of cervical stenosis, your physician will likely start by talking to you about your symptoms and ask what treatments you have already tried. He or she may also conduct a physical examination to analyze limitations of movement, problems with balance, and pain. Your physician may order a series of diagnostic tests, such as CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and in some cases, a myelogram.
Non-operative and Surgical Treatments for Cervical Spinal Canal Stenosis
Depending on the extent of nerve involvement, most patients are successfully treated with non-operative techniques, such as pain and anti-inflammatory medications, rest or limited activity, and physical therapy exercises. When cervical stenosis results in symptomatic spinal cord compression, more interventional treatment is often recommended. When patients develop cervical myelopathy, surgery is often recommended to alleviate the pressure on the spinal cord. There are several surgical options for cervical stenosis. The appropriate surgical treatment is most dependent on the extent of the compression, the alignment of the spine and the age and health of the patient. Cervical corpectomy, cervical discectomy, cervical fusion, decompressive laminectomy and cervical laminoplasty are all surgical techniques that may be applied to alleviate the pressure on the spinal cord. Each one of these techniques has advantages and disadvantages. It is important for patients to seek out a spinal specialist that can perform any of these techniques in order to optimize the treatment for your condition. |
