What Is Cervical Stenosis?
Cervical stenosis is a nerve condition involving the spinal canal and cervical spine.
The spinal canal is a hollow area in the middle of the spine containing the spinal cord, and the cervical spine is composed of the vertebrae, or bones, that make up your neck.
These vertebrae protect the area of the spinal canal that runs through them.
The nerves in the spinal canal allow for feeling and movement and control important bodily functions, including functions of the bowel and bladder.
Cervical stenosis is experienced as the spinal canal narrows and compresses nerve roots in the canal.
While not all of those with cervical stenosis experience pain symptoms, this condition can lead to serious nerve issues.
Idaho Falls Cervical Stenosis Care
Dickinson Neurological Surgery in Idaho Falls provides professional cervical stenosis care, including non-surgical and surgical treatments.
What Are Symptoms of Cervical Stenosis?
Symptoms of cervical stenosis include:
- Stiffness, numbness, weakness, or pain in the shoulders, arms, hands, legs, or neck
- Balance problems, such as tripping
- Incontinence
Many who have spinal canal narrowing don’t show symptoms. Symptoms only appear when the spinal cord or nerves around it are compressed, and, usually, cervical stenosis symptoms develop gradually.
Causes of Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is generally caused by age-related changes and is more common in people over the age of 50. In rare cases, cervical stenosis can occur from the way bones formed. Other causes of cervical stenosis include spinal injuries, herniated discs, and tumors.
Age
The aging process often causes the ligaments in the spine to thicken, destruction of cartilage, and excessive growth in joint bones. All of these can cause the spinal canal to narrow and compress the spinal cord and nerves.
Herniated Discs
Discs that bulge into the spinal canal can cause cervical stenosis and lead to nerve inflammation.
Spinal Injuries
Cervical stenosis caused by a spinal injury may occur at the time of the injury or afterward, but still in correlation with the injury.
When occurring at injury, cervical stenosis may result from a vertebral fracture or dislocation, ligament compromise, bleeding, or swelling.
Cervical stenosis that results in connection to but following an injury may involve a vertebra that has healed in an altered position, arthritis, or the formation of scar tissue.
Tumors
Whether they originate in the spinal canal or elsewhere, tumors can result in cervical stenosis by taking space in the spinal canal and causing spinal cord and/or nerve root compression, collapsing vertebrae, and more.
Cervical Stenosis and Nerve Root Compression Syndrome
Cervical stenosis can lead to nerve root compression syndrome (radiculopathies).
With this syndrome, symptoms are tied to the specific nerve roots that are compressed. Symptoms include pain and weakness in the shoulder, pain or numbness on the outside of the arm, weakness in bending or strengthening the elbow, and compromised fine motor skills.
Cervical Stenosis Diagnosis and Treatment
Oftentimes, symptoms of cervical stenosis and radiculopathies will resolve on their own within a few days or weeks.
Diagnosis
If pain or other symptoms persist for longer than a month or two, or the pain becomes incapacitating, we recommend a diagnostic evaluation. This may involve an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or myelogram followed by a CT (computed tomography) scan.
An MRI produces images with use of radio waves. MRIs are recognized for effectively presenting soft tissues, tumors, swelling, and inflammation. A myelogram is a test using contrast dye for diagnosing issues related to the spinal cord, nerve roots, and spinal canal.
CT scans are conducted as X-ray images are taken of an individual in a circular scanning machine. These scans are adept at showing bone spurs and alignment problems.
Treatment
Our team will make treatment recommendations based on patients’ circumstances and evaluation of their conditions. Treatment modalities include physical therapy, medication, and cervical stenosis surgery. Recommended treatment for mild cases of cervical stenosis, for example, may include physical therapy and medication, and for more persistent cases, surgery may be recommended.
Surgery is generally the suggested approach when the spinal cord or nerves are squeezed tightly, and surgical intervention can help relieve that pressure. Some cervical stenosis surgeries can be performed with a small incision and microsurgical techniques, allowing the patient to return to restricted activities within a few days or weeks and normal activities within two to three months of the procedure.
Contact Dickinson Neurological
The Dickinson Neurological Surgery team provides healthcare in Idaho Falls for neurological conditions, including cervical stenosis diagnosis and treatment.
To schedule an appointment, please contact our office.