TREATING CERVICAL STENOSIS

When the spinal canal starts narrowing slowly, it is called cervical stenosis. This condition may be age-related or congenital. There are certain reasons that tend to result in cervical spine stenosis. An orthopedic spine doctor Houston,TX can treat this condition well.

Degeneration of discs or disc bulges, or degeneration of facet joints where they become enlarged an arthritic and give less space to the nerves may cause cervical stenosis. Thickening of connecting spinal ligaments and formation of osteophytes or bony spurs can also result in stenosis of the spine. Also, spondylolisthesis where the spine shifts making the bony spur grow is another cause of cervical stenosis. 

The symptoms of cervical spine stenosis can be difficult to detect since some of them are very subtle. Person may feel pain in the neck and arm, weakness in arm, tingling sensation in arm and fingers and heaviness or dizziness in the head. The person may also find it difficult to use hands. Severe canal stenosis can also lead to paralysis. 

If a person detects any of these symptoms, they must consult their orthopedic spine doctor Houston,TX who will mostly treat them with medications, steroids and therapy. If none of these work, cervical laminoplasty or cervical stenosis surgery is performed. The surgery involves repositioning of bones to remove excess pressure from nerve roots. It helps relieve the pressure on the cervical nerve roots by removing the source causing the compression. The cervical spine surgery also helps in maintaining the stability of posterior vertebral elements. 

It is a minimally invasive surgery which allows smaller incisions and shorter hospitalization. During the surgery, the patient is under general anesthesia and asked to lie on their stomach. The procedure of the surgery is as follows:

•          Small incision is made at the center of the back of the neck.
•          Groove and a hinge are created.
•          Tips of spinous processes are removed giving more room to the bones.
•          Like a door at its hinge, the back of each vertebra is bent and release pressure on the nerves.
•          Removal of lamina with special surgical instruments.
•          Removal of bony spurs, bulging ligaments or bulging discs.
•          Re positioning of lamina.
•          Easing the soft tissues back in place and closing the incision.

There are many benefits of a cervical stenosis surgery. The recovery time is much shorter and pain relief quicker. Numbness and tingling are cured immediately and the patient can soon resume daily activities.

Before opting for a surgery, one must consult the surgeon at Houston, Texas about potential health risks. The post operative plan should include a formulated exercise regime and a graded kind of activity level you must return to.