Cervical Stenosis: Symptoms & Treatment Options

Cervical stenosis occurs when the spinal canal in the neck narrows, compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. It can cause neck pain, stiffness, radiating arm pain, numbness, or weakness. In severe cases, it affects balance and fine motor control.

At Comprehensive Orthopedic & Spine Care, Spine Surgeon Dr. Carlos Castro, MD provides advanced diagnosis and treatment—from conservative care to minimally invasive surgical solutions.

What Is Cervical Stenosis?

• Narrowing of the spinal canal in the cervical spine (neck)
• Often caused by arthritis (degenerative changes), disc bulges/herniations, thickened ligaments, or bone spurs
• May compress the spinal cord (myelopathy) or nerve roots (radiculopathy)

Symptoms

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Numbness, tingling, or shooting pain into the arms or hands (cervical radiculopathy)
• Arm or hand weakness; reduced grip strength
• Balance issues, clumsiness, or difficulty with fine motor tasks (possible myelopathy)
• Worsening pain with extension or certain positions

Diagnosis

• Expert spine exam assessing strength, reflexes, sensation, and gait/balance
• Imaging:
  • X-ray for alignment and arthritis
  • MRI to evaluate spinal cord, nerve roots, discs, and soft tissues
  • CT scan in select cases for detailed bone anatomy

Treatment Options

Conservative Care

• Physical therapy focused on posture, mobility, and stabilization
• Anti-inflammatory medications or neuropathic pain medications
• Activity modification and ergonomic adjustments
• Targeted injections (epidural or selective nerve root block) for persistent radicular pain

Surgical Options (When Needed)

• Goal: decompress the spinal cord/nerve roots and stabilize when indicated
• Procedures may include:
  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
  • Cervical disc replacement (select patients)
  • Posterior laminectomy or laminoplasty for multilevel stenosis
• Minimally invasive approaches when appropriate to reduce recovery time

Recovery & Outcomes

• Most patients improve with conservative care; surgery considered for progressive weakness, severe pain, or myelopathy
• Post-op plans focus on gradual mobility, posture retraining, and nerve recovery
• Return to light activity generally within weeks; full recovery varies by procedure and severity

When to See a Spine Surgeon

• Arm weakness, hand clumsiness, or balance issues
• Persistent neck pain with arm symptoms despite conservative care
• Progressive symptoms impacting daily life or work

Why Choose Comprehensive Orthopedic & Spine Care

• Advanced cervical spine expertise from Dr. Carlos Castro, MD
• Accurate diagnosis with MRI/X-ray on-site
• Comprehensive treatment—from non-surgical relief to minimally invasive surgery
• Compassionate, bilingual team; same-day appointments available

Schedule Your Appointment

If you have neck pain or arm symptoms suggestive of cervical stenosis, contact Comprehensive Orthopedic & Spine Care to see Dr. Castro for an expert evaluation.