What Are the Symptoms and Surgical Treatments for Cervical Stenosis?

Cervical stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can lead to myelopathy or radiculopathy due to the compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots, respectively. This narrowing often results in neck pain, stiffness, and limited neck mobility.

A large disc herniation in the cervical spine can compress the spinal cord within the spinal canal, potentially causing numbness, stiffness, and weakness in the legs, along with potential bowel and bladder control issues. Similarly, a thoracic herniated disc may manifest as mid-back pain at the level of the herniation.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy involves damage to the spinal cord in the neck due to age-related changes in the spine. In contrast, cervical laminoplasty is a surgical procedure that relieves pressure on the spinal cord without the removal of bone but through the reshaping of it.

Treatments may include microsurgical correction of a herniated spinal cord and repair of any dural openings. ACDF surgery is recommended for patients suffering from nerve pain that extends from the neck down to the shoulder and arms or for those with spinal cord compression. An anterior cervical corpectomy is indicated for patients with degenerative spinal changes that result in the formation of bone spurs or herniated discs, which can encroach on the space needed by the spinal cord and nerves.

For more detailed information, you can visit the following resources: Cervical Stenosis, Cervical Decompression, Herniated Disc, Cervical Myelopathy, Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy, Cervical Laminoplasty, Ventral Spinal Cord Herniation, ACDF Surgery, and Anterior Cervical Corpectomy.