Is cervical spinal stenosis serious?

Cervical spinal stenosis can potentially cause serious problems with the nervous system, including problems with bowel or bladder control (incontinence) and permanent loss of strength and feeling in the arms, hands, legs, and chest.

What is the difference between spinal stenosis and cervical stenosis?

The two types of spinal stenosis are lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the more common of the two, but cervical spinal stenosis is often more dangerous since it involves compression of the spinal cord.

How do people live with cervical spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis treatments that don’t involve surgery include self-care measures, medication, physical therapy and steroid injections. These treatments often can relieve symptoms of mild spinal stenosis.

How do you reverse cervical spinal stenosis?

While spinal stenosis can’t be reversed, treatment is available to address your pain….Risk factors for spinal stenosis include:

1. Age.
2. Spine injuries.
3. Spinal irregularities such as scoliosis.

Can you live a normal life with cervical spinal stenosis?

There’s no cure, but there are a variety of nonsurgical treatments and exercises to keep the pain at bay. Most people with spinal stenosis live normal lives.

Can you be paralyzed from cervical spinal stenosis?

It occurs from spinal stenosis that causes pressure on the spinal cord. If untreated, this can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death.

How do they fix cervical stenosis?

Depending on the cause and location of the stenosis, surgery may be performed from the front, known as anterior cervical fusion. Surgery may also be performed from the back of the neck, commonly called a posterior laminectomy. There may be an option for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.

Is cervical stenosis a disability?

Spinal stenosis is considered a disability by the SSA and in order to qualify you need to meet the medical requirements outlined by the SSA in their list of disabling conditions which is called the Blue Book.

How do you treat cervical stenosis without surgery?

Most people with cervical stenosis are successfully treated without having to undergo surgery. Non-operative treatments include: Pain and anti-inflammatory medications – Medications include analgesics, muscle relaxants, NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and corticosteroids.

How serious is cervical stenosis?

Cervical stenosis means, literally, tightening or narrowing of the canal around the spinal cord. Of the degenerative disorders that can affect the spine, it is potentially the most serious. If the cervical stenosis is profound enough, it can cause dysfunction of the spinal cord known as myelopathy .

What are the leading causes of spinal stenosis?

Aging. Spinal stenosis is most common in people over 50.

What is the prognosis of severe spinal stenosis?

In most cases the prognosis for spinal stenosis is very good. Many people can obtain good relief of their symptoms with nonsurgical treatment. In some case, as the stenosis becomes more severe, the nonsurgical treatment become less effective. For those patients, surgery is a good option to consider.