Cervical_spinal_stenosis

Cervical spinal stenosis

Cervical spinal stenosis

Medical condition

Cervical spinal stenosis is a bone disease involving the narrowing of the spinal canal at the level of the neck. It is frequently due to chronic degeneration,[1] but may also be congenital. Treatment is frequently surgical.[1]

Quick Facts Specialty ...

Cervical spinal stenosis is one of the most common forms of spinal stenosis, along with lumbar spinal stenosis (which occurs at the level of the lower back instead of the neck). Thoracic spinal stenosis, at the level of the mid-back, is much less common.[2] Cervical spinal stenosis can be far more dangerous by compressing the spinal cord. Cervical canal stenosis may lead to serious symptoms such as major body weakness and paralysis. Such severe spinal stenosis symptoms are virtually absent in lumbar stenosis, however, as the spinal cord terminates at the top end of the adult lumbar spine, with only nerve roots (cauda equina) continuing further down.[3]

Diagnosis

Treatments

Nonsurgical treatment

Potential nonsurgical treatments include:[citation needed]

  • Education about the course of the condition and how to relieve symptoms
  • Medicines to relieve pain and inflammation, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Exercise, to maintain or achieve overall good health, aerobic exercise, strength training muscles that support the neck and spine, core exercises, and posture correction.
  • Weight loss, to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the stenosis
  • Physical therapy, to provide education, instruction, and support for self-care; physical therapy instructs on stretching and strength exercises that may lead to a decrease in pain and other symptoms

Surgery

Potential surgical treatments include:

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Meyer F, Börm W, Thomé C (May 2008). "Degenerative cervical spinal stenosis: current strategies in diagnosis and treatment". Dtsch Ärztebl Int. 105 (20): 366–72. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2008.0366. PMC 2696878. PMID 19626174.
  2. [2]
    Vokshoor A (February 14, 2010). "Spinal Stenosis". eMedicine. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  3. [3]
    Waxman, SG (2000). Correlative Neuroanatomy (24th ed.).
  4. [4]
    "Laminectomy". Retrieved 19 December 2012.
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