Cervical Stenosis Treatment

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Cervical stenosis is a spine condition where the spinal canal within the neck becomes too narrow, putting pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord. While it is more prevalent in people over 60, younger adults–especially those who partake in rough contact sports–can also develop cervical spine stenosis.

There are a variety of nonsurgical therapies that can help alleviate pain. Patients who don’t improve with conservative cervical stenosis treatment may benefit from minimally invasive surgery.

What Causes Cervical Stenosis?

Cervical stenosis is often the result of gradual, degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs. Our disks dehydrate and weaken as we age, making them more prone to collapse. In some cases, people are born with specific anatomy that makes them more susceptible to spinal stenosis. Other causes include spondylolisthesis, bone spurs, or traumatic injury to the spine that compresses the interior structures.

Symptoms of Cervical Stenosis

In mild cases of cervical stenosis, patients may be completely asymptomatic or have symptoms that are manageable without medical intervention. If the nerve roots are severely compressed,

Symptoms can be more intense and include the following:

Neck pain and stiffness
Shoulder and arm pain
Weakness or numbness in the arms and hands
Balance problems
Tingling sensation in the upper extremities
Difficulty with fine motor skills

How Is Cervical Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?

A physical exam is often complemented with X-rays that can reveal structural abnormalities of the cervical spine. Patients may also need a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or CT scan to accurately pinpoint compression of the spinal nerves and verify the diagnosis.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis Surgery & Non-Surgical Treatment

Non-Surgical Treatment

Moderate cases of cervical spinal stenosis are often effectively managed with:

Analgesic pain relievers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy
Activity modification

However, some patients may require a round of steroid injections or oral cortisone medicine. Those with more severe cases and progressive symptoms may need spine surgery.

Cervical Stenosis Surgery

Surgery for cervical stenosis is designed to remove structures compressing the spinal nerve roots. Dr. David Barnett may recommend the following:

• Anterior Cervical Microscopic Decompression – may be indicated when conservative therapies have failed. This surgery is performed with a microscope to achieve nerve decompression.

• Posterior Cervical Laminectomy – a minimally invasive decompression surgery that involves smaller incisions and less trauma to surrounding tissue.

Cervical Stenosis Specialist in DFW

For more than 26 years, patients in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area have relied on Dr. David Barnett for the conservative management of complex spinal conditions and disorders. To learn more about cervical stenosis treatment with a leading Dallas neurosurgeon, please call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Barnett today.

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From start to finish, Dr. Barnett and his staff were always informative and professional. Dr. Barnett performed my neck surgery and lower back surgery all during a pandemic and everything worked out perfect. Highly recommend Dr. Barnett. Top notch.

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