musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Treatment of Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Activity as tolerated Analgesics Physical therapy Surgery for severe cases In patients with cervical spinal stenosis, conservative measures constitute first-line treatment. These include analgesics and activity as tolerated. Physical therapy can help to relieve pain and muscle tightness and improve range of motion. For advanced spinal stenosis, surgery involves decompression of the disc and bone compression of the spinal cord, either from an anterior or posterior approach in conjunction with fusion of the affected levels. Surgery can prevent further symptoms, but does not always reverse the myelopathic deficits ( Treatment references , 1.Wilson JR, Barry S, Fischer DJ, et al: Frequency, timing, and predictors of neurological dysfunction in the nonmyelopathic patient with cervical spinal cord compression, canal stenosis, and/or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.Spine (Phila Pa 1976)2013, 38(22 Suppl 1):S37-S54. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182a7f2e7 2.Badhiwala JH, Wilson JR: The natural history of degenerative cervical myelopathy.Neurosurg Clin N Am29(1):21-32, 2018. doi:10.1016/j.nec.2017.09.002 