SURGICAL MANAGEMENT FOR CERVICAL SPINE STENOSIS

What is cervical stenosis?

Cervical stenosis is a medical condition characterized by gradual narrowing of spinal canal. It is effectively treated by doctors in Houston, Texas.

The stenosis may be congenital ( by birth) or age- related.

What are the factors contributing to cervical spine stenosis?

There are a certain pre disposing factors which tend to result in stenosis of cervical spine. These factors explain the need of spinal stenosis surgery at Houston, Texas. They are :

• Degeneration of facet joints, where they become enlarged and arthritic, giving less space to the nerves,
• Degeneration of discs or disc bulges.
• Formation of osteophytes or bony spurs.
• Thickening of connecting spinal ligaments.
• Spondylolisthesis, where there is shifting of spine contributing to overgrowth of bony spurs.

What are the symptoms of cervical spine stenosis?

Patients exhibit symptoms from pinched nerves and spinal compression. They can be :

• Pain in neck and arm.
• Tingling in the arm and fingers.
• Weakness in the arm.
• Heavyness or dizziness in the head, due to decreased circulation.
• Difficulty in using the hands.
• Severe canal stenosis can also lead to paralysis .

Hence, as symptoms start showing up one must consult the doctor at Houston,Texas and an initial trial of conservative care can be given using therapy, steroids and medications.

Cervical Laminoplasty or cervical stenosis surgery

A surgery performed on cervical spine involving reshaping and repositioning of bone to relieve excess pressure on cervical nerve roots.

What is the goal of spinal stenosis surgery?

The only goal of cervical spine stenosis surgery is to relieve the pressure on the cervical nerve roots by removing the source causing the compression and thereby improving the symptoms in the long term. The surgery also maintains the stability of posterior vertebral elements.

What is the cervical spine stenosis surgical procedure?

The spinal stenosis surgical procedure is performed by surgeons at Houston,Texas in a minimally invasive way. This allows smaller incisions and shorter hospitalization.
During the procedure, the patient lies on his stomach and is sedated under general anesthesia. The procedure is done in following steps :

• Small incision at the center of the back of the neck.
• Making a groove and creating a hinge.
• Remove tips of spinous processes giving more room to the bones.
• Like a door at its hinge, bend the back of each vertebra and release pressure on the nerves.
• Removal of lamina with special surgical instruments.
• Removal of bony spurs, bulging ligaments or bulging discs.
• Re positioning or replacement of lamina.
• Easing the soft tissues back in place and closing the incision.

Benefits of cervical spine stenosis surgery at Houston, Texas.

The spinal stenosis surgery proves highly beneficial when performed by doctors at Houston, Texas especially when non surgical options like, medications, rest and physical therapy have failed.

The benefits include:

• Faster pain relief.
• Immediate relief in numbness and tingling.
• Quick improvement in daily activities.
• Shorter recovery time.

Post operative pla

Before opting for a surgery, one must consult the surgeon at Houston, Texas about potential health risks.
The post operative plan should include a formulated exercise regime and a graded kind of activity level you must return to.