Cervical Spinal Stenosis (CSS): causes, symptoms and treatments

Myelopathy. Myelopathy refers to neurological symptoms resulting from damage to the spinal cord caused by CSS. Myelopathy is a dangerous condition that could cause permanent neurological damage, paralysis, or death.

If you experience any symptoms of myelopathy, call your doctor right away. These symptoms include:

• Loss of balance or changes in gait
• Changes in fine motor skills
• Changes in handwriting
• Loss of dexterity or grip strength
• Changes in bowel/bladder function
• Loss of positional awareness in arms and legs

Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis

In addition to a physical examination, imaging will usually be required. The most common imaging test are:

X-rays

An X-ray of your back can show us any changes in your vertebrae or bony structures. That is how we can see if you have bone spurs that could be the cause of a narrowing the space within the spinal canal.

X-rays do expose the patient to small amounts of radiation and are very easy to perform and the most cost-effective imaging available.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MRI’s uses very strong magnets and radio waves to produce amazingly detailed cross-sectional images of your spine and the muscles and tissues as well (something x-rays cannot show).

Because an MRI detects damage to your disks and ligaments and can detect any tumors or fatty deposits that could be causing issues. They can show with great precision if the nerves in your spinal cord are being pressured and where.

MRI’s do not subject the patient to radiation but are expensive. Thus they usually require pre-approval from your insurance company.

CT or CT Myelogram

If you can’t have an MRI because of its expense or your insurance company will not approve it, you may get a CT scan (also known as “computerized tomography”) instead.

A CT scan is a test that combines x-ray images taken from many different angles to produce detailed, cross-sectional images of your body. In a CT myelogram, the CT scan is conducted after a contrast dye is injected. The dye outlines the spinal cord and nerves, and it can reveal herniated disks, bone spurs, and tumors.

CT Scans do subject the patient to more radiation than an x-ray, which is one of several key reasons an MRI is superior, but they are significantly less expensive than an MRI.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis Treatment

Spinal surgery is an option you want to avoid whenever possible. All spine surgery procedures, such as spinal fusion, laminectomy and laminoplasty should only be explored after all conservative and non-invasive treatments have failed.

A non-surgical treatment plan will be custom-tailored to your spinal health care needs, and may include a combination of the following:

• Physical therapy with a highly skilled physical therapist
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
• Epidural steroid injections.
• Platelet-rich plasma injections – harnesses the body’s own regenerative healing powers.
• Hydrodisectomy – water jets was away herniated disc tissue.

If you suffer from chronic neck pain, herniated disc pain, or a pinched nerve, call our offices today, and learn what our award-winning pain management specialist can do for you. Nuvo Spine offers a variety of nonsurgical treatments for CSS patients, including the most advanced minimally-invasive techniques.

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