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Cervical Foraminal Stenosis

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Understanding Cervical Stenosis

Most cases of cervical stenosis are due to the degenerative process.  Though this condition can be congenital, it is most likely to occur through the ageing process. As we change, repetitive movement or extended positions place wear and tear on the discs and joints.

Stenosis of the neck is a painful condition due to the compression of the spinal cord. Bone spurs may form or a disc may bulge causing this compression to occur. 

The Difference Between Cervical Stenosis and Cervical Foraminal Stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal and can affect the entire spinal cord. The difference with cervical foraminal stenosis is when a bone spur narrows the foramen (the opening through which the nerve root exits.
Understanding the Cervical Spine

The purpose of the cervical spine is to protect the spinal cord, support the skull and allow for movement of the head, either in rotation or bending forward and back.

In order for the cervical spine to fulfill its purpose, there are other parts of the body that support the cervical spine. These are ligaments, tendons and muscles. In addition to supporting the cervical spine, they also provide for stability and balance.

The cervical spine is comprised of seven vertebrae and eight pairs of cervical nerves. It is important to note that as you make your way down the spine, the size of the vertebrae increase. Because the lumbar region of the spine supports the majority of your weight, these vertebrae are the largest of the spine.

If injury or trauma is sustained to the cervical spine, the result can be pain, numbness and/or weakness as well as a feeling of pins and needles or tingling sensations.

Symptoms of Cervical Stenosis

There can be quite a few symptoms that patients may experience with cervical stenosis, however the most common symptoms i.e. numbness tingling in cervical stenosis is usually accompanied with:

• Weakness
• Loss of Control depending on where there is pressure on the spinal cord
• Increased or decreased reflexes
• Loss of strength
• Loss of feeling i.e. if you are unable to see whether your arm is in the up or down position, you will not be able to confirm the position of your limb.

Diagnosing Cervical Stenosis

The doctor will meet with you to discuss your medical history, how the pain started, whether there was a particular activity that caused the pain, how long the pain lasts, what makes it better/worse. They will also ask you about your lifestyle, how active you are, if you are working and if so, what your job entails. All of these are important in aiding the doctor to diagnose whether you suffer from cervical stenosis.

Once the medical history has been identified, your doctor will perform a physical examination and will likely use other tests as a means of determining whether you indeed suffer from stenosis of the neck. The most effective initial test is an x-ray. This helps the doctor to determine the cause of your pain as well as whether you suffer from a more severe cervical stenosis condition.  Depending on the severity of your condition or the cause, an MRI may also be performed. 

Treating Cervical Stenosis

Depending on whether you suffer from a more severe condition of cervical stenosis, most patients find that traditional or conservative treatment can be very effective in alleviating pain and symptoms.  Types of traditional treatment may be physical therapy that massage, stretch and strengthen the affected area(s). The use of pain medication may also provide a level of comfort for the patient. 

If you suffer from a more severe case of cervical stenosis, your doctor may recommend surgery.  Though at one time, traditional back surgery was the only alternative, with the evolving medical industry, there are minimally invasive techniques and procedures that are performed with a very high success ratio. Before you decide on the right surgery for you, it is important to speak with your doctor to find out what procedures are available to you, meet and obtain second opinions and weigh the pros and cons for both the minimally invasive procedures versus the traditional back surgery.