Cervical Stenosis

What is Cervical Stenosis?

Cervical stenosis is narrowing around the spinal cord or nerve roots that exit the spine in the neck.

What Happens with Cervical Stenosis?

The nervous structures (nerve roots or spinal cord) get compressed by other structures such as:

Intervertebral disc material
Bone spurs
Joint cysts
Tumors or Infections (less common)

Lateral view of MRI film of cervical stenosis with spinal cord compression and an arrow to point to the compressed area

What are Symptoms of Cervical Stenosis?

Nerve root compression (i.e. a pinched nerve in the neck) symptoms consist of any combination of neck pain with possible radiation of pain or numbness/tingling to different parts of the shoulder, arm, forearm or hand. Weakness can also develop with more severe compression on the nerve root.

With compression on the spinal cord symptoms can include:

Numbness and tingling throughout any part of the upper extremity, particularly the hands
Heaviness in the neck
Problems with fine motor skills of the hands (buttoning buttons, etc.)
Balance problems

Is Cervical Stenosis Serious?

Cervical stenosis can range from being asymptomatic to mild and all the way to severe.

Is There a Cure for Cervical Stenosis?

There are several treatment and management options for cervical stenosis. Treatments range from:

Home exercise programs
Focused physical therapy
Chiropractic
Acupuncture
Massage therapy
Traction
Medical management
Injection therapies
Surgery

How Can I Prevent Cervical Stenosis from Getting Worse?

Depending on the cause of the stenosis, prevention focuses on addressing the underlying condition. One of the most common causes of stenosis are disc herniations or degenerative disc disease. Management strategies that focus on managing those disorders generally consist of avoidance of activities that aggravate the symptoms and proactive care such as a regular home exercise program.

Image of woman doing neck rotation for a home exercise program due to cervical stenosis Neck home exercises

Can Cervical Stenosis Heal without Surgery?

Some cases of cervical stenosis can heal without surgery. One of the best examples is a disc herniation that heals with time. The body can dissolve the disc material away and remodel the area where the stenosis was present.

Other causes, such as spurs that form on spine bones are less likely to go away. But the symptoms that bone spurs cause can be well managed in many instances.

What Activities Should be Avoided with Cervical Spinal Stenosis?

If compression is present on the spinal cord caution should be taken regarding hyperextension injuries or positioning of the neck. Because some compression already exists this places the spinal cord at increased risk of further impingement.

If compression is present on the nerve root, but not the spinal cord itself, then activities that aggravate the symptoms should be avoided. Often times this included placing the head and neck in certain position for overhead lifting.

Related Links:

Image of Dr. James Perry of the Jacksonville Orthopaedic institute Dr. James Perry

Dr. James Perry is a Board Certified Orthopedic Spinal Surgeon at the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute.

If you have back or neck issues, Dr. James Perry and the team at the JOI can help! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Perry at the San Marco Office, call (904)JOI-2000, schedule online, or click the link below. To see a JOI Rehab Spine Physical Therapist, call (904)858-7045.