What are the symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis?

Symptoms of neck (cervical) spinal stenosis include:
  • Neck pain.
  • Numbness or tingling in the arm, hand, leg or foot. ...
  • Weakness or clumsiness in the arm, hand, leg or foot.
  • Problems with balance.
  • Loss of function in hands, like having problems writing or buttoning shirts.
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control (in severe cases).
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What does cervical spinal stenosis feel like?

Cervical spinal stenosis may cause mild to moderate burning or shock-like pain in the neck, shoulder, and/or arms. Abnormal sensations, such as tingling, crawling, and/or numbness may be felt in both hands. The arms and hands may feel weak.
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What is the best treatment for cervical stenosis?

Surgical treatment

For patients with cervical stenosis with myelopathy, the only effective treatment option is surgery to decompress the spinal cord. One type of this kind of surgery is a posterior cervical laminectomy.
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How did I get cervical stenosis?

Factors contributing to the development of cervical stenosis include: shorter than average pedicles (the bones which form the sides of the spinal canal), degenerative arthritis causing excessive bone growth, increased in size of the ligamentum flavum (a ligament which runs down the underside of the roof of the spinal ...
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What can happens if cervical spinal stenosis is left untreated?

It occurs from spinal stenosis that causes pressure on the spinal cord. If untreated, this can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death. Symptoms may affect your gait and balance, dexterity, grip strength and bowel or bladder function.
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Symptoms of Cervical Stenosis | Jeffrey Cantor, MD



What activities should be avoided with cervical stenosis?

3 Spinal Stenosis Exercises To Avoid
  • Avoid stretching in a standing position and extension stretches. ...
  • Instead, try stretching while laying down. ...
  • Avoid doing free weights. ...
  • Instead, try using a weight machine. ...
  • Avoid running and similar high-impact exercises. ...
  • Instead, try swimming, cycling, or an elliptical machine.
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How Serious Is spinal stenosis in the neck?

Spinal cord compression in your neck is called cervical myelopathy, and it can be a serious condition causing significant symptoms such as problems with balance and difficulty walking.
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Can cervical stenosis affect the brain?

Cervical stenosis can cause CSF flow alterations which can result in increased intracranial pressure and buildup of waste products. Resulting symptoms are headaches and other neurological defects. It can also contribute to Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias.
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Can cervical stenosis cause fatigue?

While it doesn't cause active injury or trauma, chronic pain can wear down at you psychologically, and drain your body's resources as it reacts to that pain. Combined with the strain of your body managing the other symptoms of spinal stenosis, it's easy to see why this condition can cause chronic fatigue.
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How does cervical stenosis affect the legs?

With cervical spinal stenosis, it's common to feel numbness or tingling on one side of your body in your hand, arm, or leg. If left untreated, the tingling can turn into weakness in the arm or leg, and make it hard for you to balance.
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Is walking good for cervical stenosis?

Walking is a suitable exercise for you if you have spinal stenosis. It is low-impact, and you can easily vary the pace as needed.
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How do you sleep with cervical stenosis?

How to sleep with cervical radiculopathy
  1. Sleeping on your back: This is the optimal sleeping position as it is the easiest to properly brace your head and position your neck. ...
  2. Sleeping on your side: This position is not as preferred as laying on your back, but it is better than on your stomach.
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What type of doctor do you see for cervical stenosis?

If your primary care doctor thinks you have spinal stenosis, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the nervous system (neurologist). Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may also need to see a spinal surgeon (neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon).
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How can I prevent cervical stenosis from getting worse?

Having good posture and practicing proper body mechanics are some of the best ways to prevent stenosis from progressing and to ensure the health of your back. Good posture and body mechanics should be practiced all the time—whether you're sitting, standing, lifting a heavy object, or even sleeping.
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Does cervical stenosis get worse over time?

Cervical stenosis with myelopathy tends to get worse slowly over time, but there is some variation. Symptoms may remain stable for long periods or rapidly worsen. Most cases of myelopathy will require an operation to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
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Does spinal stenosis hurt all the time?

Spinal stenosis is generally not progressive. The pain tends to come and go, but it usually does not progress with time. The natural history with spinal stenosis, in the majority of patients, is that of episodic periods of pain and dysfunction.
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Can cervical stenosis cause headaches and dizziness?

There are two types of spinal stenosis: the lower vertebrae, called lumbar stenosis and the upper neck area, called cervical stenosis. While lumbar stenosis typically causes the most pain, cervical stenosis is often the source of dizziness. Pinched nerves can cause headaches and a loss of balance.
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Can spinal stenosis make you feel unwell?

They also complain of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, sensitivity to sound, light and smells, widespread pain, weakness, clumsiness, balance problems, difficulty with memory and concentration, urinary urgency and frequency, disturbances in bowel habits, and fatigue.
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Can cervical stenosis affect your bowels?

Cervical spinal stenosis can potentially cause serious problems with the nervous system, including problems with bowel or bladder control (incontinence) and permanent loss of strength and feeling in the arms, hands, legs, and chest.
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Can cervical stenosis cause hip pain?

It can cause pain, stiffness and in some cases headaches. This pain and stiffness is caused by the discs in the cervical spine becoming broken down over time, losing fluid and subsequently becoming stiffer. It is a condition specific to the neck and so is unlikely to be the cause of your hip pain.
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Can cervical stenosis cause a stroke?

Conclusion: Spondylotic VA stenosis can cause hemodynamic TIAs and watershed strokes, especially when contralateral VA insufficiency is combined to specific neck movements. Low-amplitude neck movement may suffice in severe cases.
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Can C5 C6 cause leg weakness?

An injury to the spinal cord at the C5-C6 level may cause pain, weakness, or paralysis in the arms and/or legs. There may be loss of bowel and bladder control or breathing problems in some cases.
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When should you have surgery for cervical spinal stenosis?

Surgical treatment of spinal stenosis is indicated if non-operative care fails or if there is neurologic loss or deficit, especially if the neurologic loss is progressive. Examples of typical neurologic loss or deficit include symptoms of numbness, weakness, loss of coordination or tingling in the arm or leg.
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Does cervical stenosis cause headaches?

Back injuries and headaches

Spinal stenosis is a condition that narrows the small foramina, the little openings of the vertebrae. As they narrow, more pressure is put on your nerves. This can lead to a pinched nerve and may result in chronic headaches.
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Can you live a normal life with cervical spinal stenosis?

The tightness can pinch the spinal cord or the nerves around it, causing pain, tingling, or numbness in your legs, arms, or torso. There's no cure, but there are a variety of nonsurgical treatments and exercises to keep the pain at bay. Most people with spinal stenosis live normal lives.
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