Cervical Stenosis

Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the cervical spinal canal. This narrowing of the spinal canal may result in compression of the spinal cord and/or the nerve roots and affect the function of the spinal cord or the nerve, which may cause symptoms associated with cervical radiculopathy or cervical myelopathy.

Spinal stenosis may occur as a result of spondylosis (degenerative changes in the cervical spine) but can also be the result of traumatic (fractures and instability) and inflammatory conditions or caused by herniated discs or tumours.

Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The cervical spinal canal normally provides enough room for the neural elements. The sagittal diameter of the spinal canal varies with height and between individuals. The first cervical vertebral body (C 1) is about 21.8 mm high and the spinal cord makes up about 50% of the spinal canal. On the other hand C 6 is about 17.8 mm in height and the spinal cord takes up about 75% of the spinal canal[1].

Lee et al[2] described the average anterior-posterior canal diameter (and standard deviation) in all specimens at all levels was 14.1 +/- 1.6 mm. The canal diameters ranged from 9.0 to 20.9 mm, with a median diameter of 14.4 mm. Men had significantly larger cervical spinal canals than women at all of the levels that were evaluated. 

Although congenital stenoses are possible, stenoses are usually the secondary consequences of space occupying lesions such as progressive disk degeneration, accompanied by disk protrusion, ventral spondylophyte formation, thickening of the ligamenta flava, and hypertrophy of the dorsal facets.

Meyer et al[1] describe how movement affects the diameter of the spinal canal and cord. The diameter of the spinal canal in flexion and extension is reduced. During extension, the ligamentum flavum is folded, which further constricts the spinal canal. Moreover, the changes in length of the spinal canal also affect the length of the spinal cord. For example, the shortening of the spinal cord in extension is linked to an increase in diameter. Particularly if spinal stenosis is present, the spinal cord can be additionally damaged by movement. It is pinched between the pincers of the posteroinferior end of one vertebral body and the lamina or ligamentum flavum of the caudal segment. These mechanisms not only cause local damage to the spinal cord, but also compress the vessels perfusing it. On the one hand, the anterior spinal artery can be directly compressed. On the other hand, the flattening of the spinal cord can cause torsion in the sulcus vessels, which run transversely. These vessels perfuse the grey matter and the medial white substance, which are typically affected early in the course of the disease.

Normal cervical vertebrae
Cervical stenosis

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

Cervical spine stenosis appears to be very common. It has been estimated that cervical stenosis was present in 4.9% of the adult population, 6.8% of the population fifty years of age or older, and 9% of the population seventy years of age or older[2].

Most patients’ symptoms chronically deteriorate over the years. Deterioration can occur rapidly and is then mostly irreversible. 75% of patients suffer phases of neurological deterioration. There is evidence that about 5% of all patients with asymptomatic spinal cord compression become symptomatic each year. There are also patients with an acute clinical course. These are mostly patients with significant but asymptomatic stenosis who suffer acute spinal cord compression after a trivial injury[1].

Cervical spine stenosis most commonly causes cervical myelopathy in 50+ aged patients[3]

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

Cervical stenosis does not necessarily cause symptoms, but if symptoms are present they will mainly be caused by associated cervical radiculopathy or cervical myelopathy.

Potential symptoms may include:[4][5][6]

  • Pain in neck or arms
  • Arm and leg dysfunction
  • Weakness, stiffness or clumsiness in the hands
  • Leg weakness
  • Difficulty walking
  • Frequent falling
  • Urinary urgency which may progress to bladder and bowel incontinence
  • Diminished proprioception

The progression of the symptoms may also vary in the following ways:

  • A slow and steady decline
  • Progression to a certain point and stabilizing
  • Rapidly declining

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

X-rays of the cervical spine do not provide enough information to confirm cervical stenosis, but can be used to rule out other conditions. Cervical stenosis can occur at one level or multiple levels of the spine, therefore an MRI is useful for looking at several levels at one time. A detailed MRI image may also be useful to show the tight spinal canal and pinching of the spinal cord. A CT scan can provide information about the bony invasion of the canal and can be combined with myelography. [4][5]

Spinal Stenosis itself may not present any signs or symptoms unless the spinal cord (cervical myelopathy) or nerve roots (cervical radiculopathy) have been affected. In this case neurological symptoms may present and a full neurological examination is required. Symptoms of myelopathy must be identified so that referral on to a medical specialist can be made, for this it is important to consider:

  • Hyper-reflexia: Increased reflexes in the knee and ankle
  • Changes in gait, such as clumsiness or loss of balance
  • Loss of sensitivity in the hands or feet
  • Babinski’s sign
  • Hoffman’s sign

Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]

Medical Management[edit | edit source]

For patients presenting with increasing weakness, pain or instability with walking, surgical management of cervical spine stenosis may be considered. Options for decompressing multilevel stenosis involve:

Anterior approaches:

  • Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion
  • Anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion
  • Combination of both

The disc or bone material (or both) that are causing spinal cord compression are removed from the anterior aspect and the spine is stabilised. The stabilising of the spine, which is called fusion, involves placing an implant between the two cervical segments to support the spine and compensate for the bone and the disc that has been removed.

Posterior approaches:

  • Laminectomy without fusion or with instrumented fusion: This is a procedure where the bone and ligaments that are pressing against the spinal cord are removed. In this treatment the surgeon might add also a fusion to stabilize the spine[7].
  • Laminoplasty[7][8]

The posterior approach relies on the decompression by both the direct removal of offending posterior structures and indirect posterior translation of the spinal cord; thus, patients should undergo maintenance of lordosis or correctable kyphosis to permit adequate indirect decompression.

The distinction between these two types operations, depends on the location of the cord compression, number of levels involved, sagittal alignment, instability, associated axial neck pain, and risk factors for pseudarthrosis.

Laminoplasty is more effective to laminectomy without fusion because it decreases perineural adhesion and late kyphosis. The anterior techniques as well as the laminectomy with fusion are less effective than the laminoplasty. The laminoplasty preserves motion segments and prevents fusion-related complications, including bone graft dislodgement, pseudarthrosis, and adjacent segment disease[9][7].

After the surgery, the patient has to remain in the hospital for several days. A postoperative rehabilitation program may be provided, so that the patient can return to his activities and his typical daily function. This program consisted of an early post-operative ROM exercise, with or without a neck-collar[10].

Physical Therapy Management[edit | edit source]

Nonoperative treatments, such as physical therapy management, are aimed at reducing pain and increasing the patient's function. Nonoperative treatments do not change the narrowing of the spinal canal, but can provide the patient of a long-lasting pain control and improved function without surgery. A rehabilitation program may require 3 or more months of supervised treatment. [4]

A physical therapy program may include[11](LoE:1A)[12][13](LoE;5):

  • Stretching exercises: These exercises are aimed at restoring the flexibility of the muscles of the neck, trunk, arms and legs.
  • Manual therapy: Cervical and thoracic joint manipulation to improve or keep range of motion.
  • Heat therapy: to improve blood circulation to the muscles and other soft tissues.
  • Cardiovascular exercises for arms and legs: This will improve blood circulation and enhance the patient's cardiovascular endurance and promote good physical conditioning.
  • Aquatic exercises: to allow your body to exercise without pressure on the spine.
  • Training of activity of daily living (ADL) and functional movements.

Exercises and techniques that may help relieve symptoms of spinal stenosis and prevent progression of the condition include[8](LoE:2B)[12][13](LoE:5):

  • Specific strengthening exercises for the arm, trunk and leg muscles.
  • stretching
  • Postural re-education
  • Scapular stabilization
  • Ergonomics and frequent changes of position, to avoid sustained postures that compress the spine
  • Planning ahead so that you take breaks in between potentially back-stressing activities such as walking and yard work.
  • Proper lifting, pushing, and pulling.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Meyer F, Börm W, Thomé C. Degenerative cervical spinal stenosis: current strategies in diagnosis and treatment. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2008 May;105(20):366.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Lee MJ, Cassinelli EH, Riew KD. Prevalence of cervical spine stenosis: anatomic study in cadavers. JBJS. 2007 Feb 1;89(2):376-80.
  3. João Levy M., António Fernandes F., João Lobo A. “Neurologic aspects of systemic disease part I.” Handbook of clinical neurology: Chapter 35- Spinal Stenosis (2014) Volume 119; pg 541-549
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 North American Spine Society Public Education Series. Cervical stenosis and myelopathy. http://www.spine.org/Documents/cervical_stenosis_2006.pdf (Accessed 22 November 2011).
  5. 5.0 5.1 Williams SK, et al. Concomitant cervical and lumbar stenosis: Strategies for treatment and outcomes. Semin Spine Surg 2007;19(3):165-176.
  6. Countee RW, et al. Congenital stenosis of the cervical spine: Diagnosis and management. J Natl Med Assoc 1979;71(3):257-264.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 L.Yang et Al., Plate-only Open-door Laminoplast Versus Laminectomy and Fusion fort he Treatment of Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy, Healio Orthopedics, Vol. 36, January 20132
  8. 8.0 8.1 .Yeh et Al., Expansive open-door laminoplasty secured with titanium miniplates is a good surgical method for multiple-level cervical stenosi, Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, August 2014
  9. H. Chikuda et Al., Optimal treatment for Spinal Cord Injury associated with Cervical canal Stenosis( OSCIS): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing early verus delayed surgery, BioMed Central, 2013.
  10. Y. Yukawa et Al., Laminoplasty and Skip Laminoplasty for Cervical Compressive Myelopathy, Spine, 2007
  11. May, S. & Comer, C. Is surgery more effective than non-surgical treatment for spinal stenosis, and which non-surgical treatment is more effective? A systematic review. Physiotherapy, 2013, 99(1), 12-20
  12. 12.0 12.1 Hu SS, et al. Cervical spondylosis section of Disorders, diseases, and injuries of the spine. In HB Skinner, ed., Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Orthopedics, 4th ed., pp. 238–242. New York: McGraw-Hill.,2006
  13. 13.0 13.1 Atlas SJ, Delitto A. Spinal stenosis: surgical versus nonsurgical treatment. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2006; 443:198.