Cervical spinal stenosis is the thinning of the space surrounding the neck and spinal cord. The bones in the spine have a hollow space where the spinal cord passes through and this hollow space is what we call spinal canal. The thinning of this spinal canal results to condition called central stenosis or spinal canal stenosis.
What are the causes of Cervical Spinal Stenosis?
Disc degeneration due to aging is the common cause of cervical spinal stenosis. This gel like discs is the one that separates the vertebrae. When one starts to advance in age, their discs tends to lose much of their water content and their shock absorbing ability thus resulting to disc collapse making the space between the vertebrae smaller and compress. This then affects the alignment of the facet joints in the back. Osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis is often the result when there are changes in the facet joint alignment.
Treatment for Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Conventional treatment is prescribed for a start and that usually includes physical therapy like massage, ultrasound, exercise, ice or heat pack and electrical stimulation. Another is taking of muscle relaxants, analgesics and NSAID drugs to relieve the pain as well as the inflammation. It also includes acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathy.
For chronic cases, injection of corticosteroid will aid in lessening pain and swelling however know that this method only offers temporary relief and is not recommended for long use because it has undesirable side effects.
If symptoms gets worst or does not improve within six to eight weeks then surgery might be necessary. Different types or surgery is available depending of the kind of condition you have. Talk to your doctor about it. Discuss with him the possible risk that you are taking and benefits you get from the surgery. It is not the most recommended cure for back problems but when all options are exhaust then surgery maybe your only choice.