Cervical Stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a disorder in which there is narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck, which can compress the spinal cord and spinal nerves. It often occurs as part of the aging process due to normal wear and tear of the spine.

Causes:

– Herniated disc

– Some people are born with a narrower spinal canal

– Bone spurs (overgrowth of bone)

– Spinal tumors

– Spine fractures disrupt the normal alignment of the spine and may cause the spinal canal to become narrower

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary from person to person and can affect multiple levels of the spine. Patients often experience:

– Neck pain

– Arm pain

– Numbness and tingling

– Weakness

– Increased pain with prolonged standing and walking

– Pain is often alleviated with bending forward

Diagnosis:

In order to identify the severity of spinal stenosis and the levels of the spine affected by this disorder, an MRI of the cervical spine is needed. The MRI will be able to identify specifically which nerve roots are being compressed and whether the spinal cord is being affected by the spinal stenosis.

Treatment:

There are various treatment options for spinal stenosis and the course of management depending on the specific causes found. If surgical treatment is required, a procedure called an anterior cervical fusion is typically performed. In some cases, additional surgery is necessary in the form of a posterior cervical fusion.”