Cervical Spinal Stenosis

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Cervical stenosis can be defined as a tightening or constricting of the space in the cervical spinal canal around the spinal cord. This condition can be caused by the degeneration of cervical discs and joints found between each vertebra.

Towards the final stages of degeneration in the spine, bone spurs, also referred to as osteophytes, can form leading to development of cervical spinal stenosis. The amount of space in the spinal canal is reduced as the bone spur forms and develops. As a bone spur forms and gets larger, it will eventually start applying pressure to the spinal cord or the nerve roots causing cervical spinal stenosis symptoms such as, numbness, tingling sensations, or pain radiating down the arms and into the hands. Cervical myelopathy is a term used, when the nerve root is the only portion of the cervical spine affected by the reduction in area.

People suffering from cervical spinal stenosis and myelopathy are often in the fifty to sixty years of age bracket, and have suffered from neck pain for quite some time already.

Cervical spinal stenosis symptoms

Numbness or tingling sensation in the arms / hands
Spastic gait
Decreased range of motion in the neck
Weakness in the upper extremities and / or the lower extremities
Pain radiating down the arms and into the hands
Muscular atrophy
sensory deficits
Abnormal reflex actions

Cervical spinal stenosis diagnosis

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - A MRI is the preferred method of diagnosis for cervical spinal stenosis due to its accuracy. The accuracy from an MRI is due to how it forces the atoms in your body to line up through the use of a magnetic field. The signals sent back are dependent on the tissue. A healthy tissue sends a signal that is displayed differently then unhealthy tissue.

CT scan (computed tomography) - Due to its lack of accuracy a ct scan is generally only used when there is no access to a MRI machine.

Cervical spinal stenosis treatment

NSAIDs - Nonsteroidal anti-infammatory drugs including ibuprofen (such as Advil) can be used to help reduce inflammation in affected areas relieving pressure applied to the nerve root or spinal cord.
Physical Therapy - through a well designed physical therapy routine, neck muscles can be built up to help provide more support for that area of the body.
Cervical collar - Stabilizing the cervical area can help to relieve symptoms associated with spinal stenosis, but it is not recommended to wear for extended periods of time, as it encourages “lazy muscles”.
Traction - In order to stabilize or change the position of a damaged spine, parts are pulled in opposite directions through a series of weights. Traction requires that the patient be kept in bed or placed in a halo vest.

Although most cases of cervical spinal stenosis are not an emergency, when conservative methods have failed and you have decided that you want to live a more active life, surgery may become an option worth exploring with your physician. You can refer to our spinal stenosis surgery page for more detailed information about which surgeries are available to you and what their risks and benefits are.

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