Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Cervical spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck area or upper part of the spine. At CalSpine MD, our spine surgeon, Dr. Ball, treats cervical spinal stenosis frequently, as it is a very common cause of neck pain. The cervical spine (neck region) consists of seven bones, separated from one another by intravertebral discs. The top of the cervical spine connects to the skull, and the bottom connects to the upper back at about the shoulder level. If you are diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis, Dr. Ball will work with you to find a treatment option that works best for you, whether it involves surgery or nonsurgical methods.
Spinal stenosis most often develops due to degenerative changes in the spine, such as with osteoarthritis or degeneration. These changes can narrow the spinal canal, eventually putting pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Disc herniations can also cause spinal stenosis.
Degenerative spinal stenosis is very common. By the age of 50, 95 percent of people will experience degenerative changes in the spine. However, not everyone experiences symptoms.
Other causes of cervical spinal stenosis include
- Disc Herniation(s)
- Narrow Spinal Canal (Congenital/developmental, or present from birth)
- Injury or Trauma to the Neck
- Spinal Tumor
- Certain Bone Diseases
- Past Surgery of the Spine
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis include
- Neck Pain
- Pain, Weakness, or Numbness in the Shoulders, Arms, and Legs
- Hand Clumsiness
- Gait and Balance Disturbances
- Burning Sensations, Tingling, and Pins and Needles Feeling in the Arms or Legs
In severe cases, spinal stenosis can cause loss of bladder or bowel control. If you experience this, seek immediate medical attention.
To diagnose cervical spinal stenosis, Dr. Ball will ask you about your symptoms and do a complete physical exam, looking for signs of spinal stenosis, such as limitation of movement, problems with balance, pain, loss of reflexes in the extremities, muscle weakness, loss of sensation or other signs of spinal cord damage. Dr. Ball may also order X-rays of your cervical spine to rule out other problems, such as kyphosis or instability. An MRI scan may be ordered for a three-dimensional view of the cervical spine soft tissues such as the spinal cord, discs and ligaments. Additionally, a myelogram may be ordered for patients who cannot have an MRI. For a myelogram, a CT scan is taken after injecting dye into the spinal column to show where the spinal cord pressure is occurring.
At a Glance
Dr. Hieu Ball
- Double fellowship-trained orthopedic
- Orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard Medical School
- Over 20 years of spine surgery experience
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