What is Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal is obstructed, causing it to become narrow in one or more places. Cervical spinal stenosis occurs in the neck. The condition can cause chronic pain in addition to more severe symptoms. Because spinal stenosis can lead to permanent damage to the spinal cord, timely diagnosis and treatment is key to maintaining overall health as well as regaining quality of life. On the other hand, it is possible to have cervical spinal stenosis and experience no symptoms at all.

Causes and Symptoms

Cervical spinal stenosis is the second most common form of stenosis; most cases by far occur in the lumbar spine. Stenosis of the thoracic spine is rare, largely because the upper back has relatively little mobility compared to the neck and lower back.

Stenosis can be caused by a number of underlying conditions, most of which are related to slow degeneration:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Herniated disc
• Trauma
  
• Tumors (rare)
  

Since the cervical spine contains nerves that travel to all areas of the body, symptoms may manifest in any part of the body: the limbs, the chest, or the abdomen. Symptoms include:

• Pain or difficulty when moving the neck
• Stiffness in the limbs, neck, or shoulders
• Pain or numbness in those same areas
• Muscle weakness
  
• Problems with coordination or balance
• Incontinence

Cervical spinal stenosis can be more dangerous than other forms of spinal stenosis. This is because cervical spinal stenosis compresses the actual spinal cord, rather than just the nerve roots (as is the case in lumbar stenosis). The spinal cord at the cervical level contains the highest number of nerves, which go on to branch into the legs, arms, chest, and abdomen.

Left untreated, in severe cases, the spinal cord itself is damaged by cervical spinal stenosis. This can result in dramatic symptoms, including progressive weakness of the muscles, incontinence, permanent loss of feelings in the limbs, and even paralysis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis can mimic a wide range of other conditions, including multiple sclerosis and vitamin B12 deficiency. For this reason, physicians must perform several diagnostic tests in order to confirm the condition. X-rays or MRI can be used to confirm and find the exact cause of the condition. In addition, the doctor will order blood tests to confirm that there is not another cause.

For most cases of spinal stenosis, the first line of defense is conservative treatment. Pain and other symptoms can often be managed using medication and physical therapy. These methods reduce inflammation and help restore strength and mobility.

On the other hand, surgical treatment may be recommended immediately if symptoms are severe or if imaging shows the spinal cord to be highly compressed. While untreated cervical spinal stenosis can cause permanent damage, physicians will not wait until patients develop these symptoms to recommend surgery.

If surgery is indicated, the goal is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. This can be achieved by removing excess tissue; for example, if the culprit is bone spurs, the spurs are removed, and if a disc has herniated, the excess material is removed. Sometimes, a small portion of vertebral bone is surgically removed. If a large part of the material of the spine is lost due to surgery, it may be necessary to perform spinal fusion in order to restore stability to the spine.

Cervical spinal stenosis can also often be treated using laser surgery. Laser spine surgery uses minimally invasive techniques to treat common spine conditions such as arthritis and herniated discs. This means a shorter recovery time, and a reduced need for major procedures such as spinal fusion. To learn more about minimally invasive treatment for your cervical spinal stenosis or other back conditions, please call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at 212-420-0312.