Question 1

what is spinal stenosis of the neck & what is surgery like & prognosis afterwards?

Accepted Answer

Tight canal: Stenosis is a tightness of an opening. In this case there is a tightness/ smallness of the cervical canal thru which the spinal cord passes. This may be congenital in nature or a result of a disc herniation or hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, or spondylosis. In any case once conservative care fails surgery is a viable option. When tailored to the patient specific problem the results are good.

Question 2

what is spinal stenosis & what is prognosis after neck surgery for it?

Accepted Answer

Tight canal: Stenosis is a tightness of an opening. In this case there is a tightness/ smallness of the cervical canal thru which the spinal cord passes. This may be congenital in nature or a result of a disc herniation or hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, or spondylosis. In any case once conservative care fails surgery is a viable option. When tailored to the patient specific problem the results are good.

Question 3

can a heat wave severely affect people with neck ailments? i was diagnosed with mild to moderate spinal stenosis last week but the excessive heat seems to really stop me in my tracks?

Accepted Answer

: By its nature the human body functions best in a comfortable environment. Any move to excessive cold or heat taxes the bodies self regulatory functions and leads to poor performance. A temperature neutral environment/stable health/and proper rest are all needed for best performance/function/healing.

Question 4

whats the prognosis on cervical spinal stenosis in a 26 year old. it was seen on a cat scan of head and neck after concussion. was told it was beginning stages. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

: This can't be answered without details about the degree of stenosis, exactly where along the cervical spine, symptoms, underlying health conditions (e.g. spinal arthritis, past injuries), and other information. "Beginning stages" suggests mild, maybe no problem. But this must be discussed with the patient's own doctor(s), who probably should include either a neurosurgeon or an ortho/spine surgeon.

Question 5

no spinal stenosis is appreciated. there is left c3-4 foraminal stenosis related to uncovertebral joint hypertrophy.. can someone explain what this means? its from a ct scan of my neck. ive been having neck and shoulder pain on the right side?

Accepted Answer

: First, your films show left-sided degenerative changes at C3-4 which may in the future get worse and become symptomatic but do NOT correlate with the "right side" symptoms.  This issue may well involve the brachial plexus, and consideration for thoracic outlet syndrome as an explanation may be salient.  Find a thoracic vascular surgeon or a physiatrist and get an opinion.

Question 6

can a rearend car accident cause cervical spinal stenosis and hyperextention of the neck?

Accepted Answer

No and yes: Spinal stenosis does not occur after an accident unless it is the aquired type due to a disc herniation, spine fracture or traumatic spinal instability or bleeding associated with it.  Stenosis is developed due to degenerative changes and occasionally due to a small canal you were born  with.  Whiplash is a flexion/extension injury.  With a stenotic canal, this force could injure the cord.

Question 7

can you get at 50 years old have?   neuropathy? in spine and neck?, shoulder ? can it come and go? spinal stenosis ? what are the symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Yes, quite commonly: The older you get, you have more chances of spine issues in back and neck from degenerative changes to cause neuropathy of varying severity. Most of the times, symptoms do come and go based on degree of bony occlusion and pressure on nerves. Learning to live with these "growing pains" may help you avoid unnecessary surgeries.

Question 8

hear a poping noise everytime i turn my head. i have neck degeneration and the start of spinal stenosis. should i be worried about this? is this something i need to go to the er about. or can it wait until i see my regular dr in a few weeks?

Accepted Answer

: If you're not experiencing new pain, I think you should wait to see your MD. Most painless noises on neck motions are from gas bubbles within the facet joints or from ligaments or tendons and are harmless.

Question 9

can spinal stenosis go to your neck and cause sciatica in both legs?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: A true "sciatica" is the compression of a nerve or nerves that make up the sciatic nerve, associated with leg symptoms.  Because the sciatic nerve is in the low back and leg, a true sciatica can only be from there.  That being said, patients with cord compression in their neck can definitely have symptoms in their legs similar to a sciatica.  Consider being checked.

Question 10

have cervical dd & spinal stenosis. extreme neck pain & now i feel swelling on back of my neck (left side only).  is the swelling common? treatment?

Accepted Answer

Should not get: swelling from disc herniation and stenosis alone.  It could be a deep infection, so it is best to see a doctor for evaluation.

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Doctor answers about:

Exercises for spinal stenosis in the neck

A member asked:

What is spinal stenosis of the neck & what is surgery like & prognosis afterwards?

A member asked:

What is spinal stenosis & what is prognosis after neck surgery for it?

A member asked:

Can a heat wave severely affect people with neck ailments? i was diagnosed with mild to moderate spinal stenosis last week but the excessive heat seems to really stop me in my tracks?

A member asked:

Whats the prognosis on cervical spinal stenosis in a 26 year old. it was seen on a cat scan of head and neck after concussion. was told it was beginning stages. what should i do?

A member asked:

No spinal stenosis is appreciated. there is left c3-4 foraminal stenosis related to uncovertebral joint hypertrophy.. can someone explain what this means? its from a ct scan of my neck. ive been having neck and shoulder pain on the right side?

A member asked:

Can a rearend car accident cause cervical spinal stenosis and hyperextention of the neck?

A member asked:

Can you get at 50 years old have? neuropathy? in spine and neck?, shoulder ? can it come and go? spinal stenosis ? what are the symptoms?

A member asked:

Hear a poping noise everytime i turn my head. i have neck degeneration and the start of spinal stenosis. should i be worried about this? is this something i need to go to the er about. or can it wait until i see my regular dr in a few weeks?

A member asked:

Can spinal stenosis go to your neck and cause sciatica in both legs?

A member asked:

Have cervical dd & spinal stenosis. extreme neck pain & now i feel swelling on back of my neck (left side only). is the swelling common? treatment?

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