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| By Anatomography [CC BY-SA 2.1 jp ], via Wikimedia Commons |
Sadly, as a natural part of the aging process, many people develop degenerative changes in the joints that create a narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing can lead to a compression of the nerves in the spinal cord that compromises the coordination and function of the extremities. This leads to the slowly progressive condition called cervical spinal stenosis. If you have this condition, you may be wondering if there is a surgery for cervical spinal stenosis available.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
You might be suffering from cervical spinal stenosis if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Stiffness, pain, numbness or weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms or hands
- Slow loss of fine motor skills such as buttoning a shirt or handwriting a note
- Sporadic shooting pains in the arms
- Arm pain otherwise known as cervical radiculopathy
Usually it is the arm pain that incents someone with cervical spinal stenosis to get medical treatment. Once this occurs, the cervical spinal stenosis is uncovered in the course of the physical exam and medical history.
Treatment for Cervical Spinal Stenosis
NSAIDS, activity modification, and exercise for cervical spinal stenosis can help relieve arm pain. However, although nonsurgical pain management can be effective in the short term, the only long-term solution to the pain is surgical depression of the spinal canal.
This is generally a progressive condition that develops slowly over time. The symptoms may not present for years, and then it seems like difficulties with coordination suddenly begin.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Surgery for cervical spinal stenosis may or may not improve the symptoms. The procedure has two main goals: slow or stop the progressive nature of the stenosis, and stabilize the neurological condition of the patient.
It is not unusual for multiple levels to need decompression, so the cervical spinal stenosis surgery can be more complicated than the surgery for a cervical herniated disc or a cervical foraminal stenosis.
Discover more about treatment options for cervical spinal stenosis from The Bonati Spine Institute.
