Cervical Stenosis is the leading cause of pain in the neck, primarily in elderly patients. Spinal stenosis itself is the shrinking of a spinal canal in the upper spine and neck region.
The shrinking parts cause pressure to the nerves around the neck as well as spinal cord. It can be utterly painful.
What Are The Risk Factors For Cervical Stenosis?
Generally, patients affected by C-Spine Stenosis may or may not have had previous trauma to the neck. Other patients have this narrowing at birth. Most commonly, patients over 50 years are affected due to wear and tear of their spine.
When Is Cervical Stenosis Surgery Recommended?
Most Cervical Stenosis cases have been treated successfully with non-surgical measures such as anti-inflammatory and pain medications.
Some patients might need to wear a neck or cervical collar and also have a restriction of their activities. Physical therapy is recommnded to help stabilize and strengthen the neck, to increase flexibility and build endurance. If the non-surgical techniques don't work, your doctor may prescribe surgery to treat your stenosis.
What Are the Types of Cervical Disc Problems?
Numerous surgical techniques can treat this condition. The primary goal is widening the spinal canal as well as reducing pressure on the nerves and spinal cord by trimming or removing the main structures causing compression. Your surgeon should discuss the best procedure for you since there are risks involved.
This is a commonly used surgery to treat the cervical spinal stenosis. In this process, the vertebrae's roof is removed thus creating space for the nerve.
What Is a Posterior Laminoplasty?
This type of surgery is performed to hlep in retain stability of the spine as well as an expansion of the spinal cord.
Any bulging or herniated discs may be removed as well to increase space in the canal by a process known as discectomy. This is usually performed by going through the front of the neck.
In addition to decompressive surgery, a spinal fusion may be done for patients with spinal instability, those who have the spine decompressed from the front of the neck, or those who requre surgical repair more than once. It involves, taking a piece of bone mostly from the breastbone or donated bone and grafting it in the spine. Screws and metal plates are usually used to support the spine as well as provide additional stability.
Most patients get out of the bed the same day after surgery. Activities can increase slowly and patients generally return home the day after the procedure, depending on the extent of the surgery. Pain medications are prescribed by the doctor.
Cervical spinal stenosis is treatable. Do not suffer in pain when the solution is available. Visit your doctor to discuss all the options before deciding the procedure that's best for you.