Spinal Stenosis (Cervical)

Home , Nerve root, Vertebra

15 Newark Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109 87 Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601 45 West River Road, Rumson, NJ 07760 3146 E. Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10461

Overview This condition is a narrowing of the spinal canal that results from the degeneration of bones, discs, or joints in the cervical spine.

Anatomy of a Healthy Spine In a healthy spine, the spinal canal has a rounded, triangular shape that provides an obstruction-free channel for the spinal cord. Each nerve root CERVICAL branches off of the spinal cord and travels through SPINE its respective opening, called a foramen, on either side of the vertebrae.

How Spinal Stenosis Forms Disc Spinal stenosis is typically caused by age and overuse, which can lead to degeneration of the Vertebra spine's discs, bones and joints. Vertebrae may slip out of their normal alignment and rub harmfully against each other.

Pressure on Cord and Nerve Roots Damage from the rubbing causes the formation of bony growths called bone spurs. Bone spurs may push into the spinal canal or foramen space. Tissues surrounding the spinal cord, such as the HEALTHY ligamentum flavum, may thicken and push into the VERTEBRA spinal canal. This creates pressure against the spinal cord or nerve roots. Disc Nerve Symptoms of Pinched Nerve Roots root Symptoms depend on the area being pinched. Pressure on a nerve root can cause pain, Spinal weakness and numbness in the shoulders, arms cord and hands.

Pressure on DAMAGED nerve roots VERTEBRA

Disc

Spinal cord

Bone spurs form Ligamentum flavum thickens

www.viewmedica.com © 2009 Swarm Interactive. Unauthorized duplication is strictly forbidden. 15 Newark Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109 87 Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601 45 West River Road, Rumson, NJ 07760 3146 E. Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10461

Spinal Stenosis (Cervical)

Symptoms of Pressure on Cord Pressure on the spinal cord can cause pain, weakness and numbness in the shoulders, arms and hands, and the legs and feet. It may also cause problems with balance and coordination, which can affect walking. Other problems include loss of fine motor skills, manual dexterity issues, and in late stages, loss of bowel and bladder control.

Treatment Treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications, rest, epidural steroid injections, and physical therapy. If non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, surgery may be required to remove the obstruction and repair the spine.