bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Introduction
Cervical spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck. The narrowing squeezes (compresses) the nerves and sometimes the spinal cord causing neck pain and sometimes weakness and abnormal sensations in the arms or legs. Osteoarthritis (OA) , disc bulges and herniations, and Symptoms, if present, can include Neck Pain ; tingling in the arm, hand, leg, or foot; and weakness and loss of balance. The diagnosis is based on a doctor's evaluation and sometimes on the results of imaging or electrodiagnostic tests. Treatment includes measures to relieve pain and sometimes surgery. The spinal canal runs through the center of the spine and contains the Spinal Cord and the bundle of nerves that extends downward from the bottom of the spinal cord in the lower back. Along the length of the spinal cord are the spinal nerves. The spinal nerves emerge from the sides through spaces between the vertebrae to connect with nerves throughout the body. The part of the spinal nerve nearest the spinal cord is called the spinal nerve root. Because of their location, spinal nerve roots can be squeezed when the spinal canal is narrowed, resulting in pain. The most common causes of cervical spinal stenosis include Osteoarthritis (OA) , disc degeneration, and A column of bones called vertebrae make up the spine (spinal column). The vertebrae protect the spinal cord (a long, fragile structure contained in the spinal canal), which runs through the center of the spine. Between the vertebrae are disks composed of cartilage, which help cushion the spine and give it some flexibility. Spinal nerves:Emerging from the spinal cord between the vertebrae are 31 pairs of spinal nerves. Each nerve emerges in two short branches (roots)—motor and sensory—which join to form a spinal nerve. Themotor rootscarry commands from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body, particularly to skeletal muscles. Thesensory rootscarry information to the brain from other parts of the body. Cauda equina:The spinal cord ends about three fourths of the way down the spine, but a bundle of nerves extends beyond the cord. This bundle is called the cauda equina because it resembles a horse's tail. The cauda equina carries nerve impulses to and from the legs, lower intestine, and bladder. 