Spinal stenosis is a condition where the nerves in your spinal cord become compressed because of your spinal canal narrowing. In fact, between 250,000 and 500,000 Americans live with spinal stenosis, and most who are affected are over age 50.
When you experience cervical stenosis, this means that the nerve compression is impacting the vertebrae in your neck, something that can significantly impact your wellbeing.
Dr. Benjamin Cohen has years of experience treating spinal stenosis wherever it affects patients, including those who suffer from cervical stenosis. He offers expert consultation and a wide range of treatments. Dr. Cohen always opts for conservative, noninvasive treatments initially, but sometimes surgery is needed to rectify the persistent pain and other uncomfortable symptoms of cervical stenosis.
When your neck is stiff and hurts, it’s hard to think about much else as you try to work, attend school, be a parent, and generally live your life.
A range of conditions contribute to the development of cervical stenosis that are associated with wear and tear on the body as we age, including:
All of these conditions cause the spinal canal to shrink, crowding nerves and causing debilitating symptoms.
Cervical stenosis causes neck pain — sometimes severe — as well as arm numbness and even balance problems. It can also lead to weakness in your foot, leg, hand, or arm.
You may even notice difficulty with how your hands function and find it hard to perform tasks like buttoning your shirt or writing.
These symptoms can quickly add up to a diagnosis of cervical stenosis. The condition can prevent you from participating in and enjoying life fully, but there’s hope — and treatment available.
Dr. Cohen typically recommends conservative treatments initially when he creates your treatment plan. These include:
He may also create a personalized exercise regimen to ease your pain, stabilize your spine, and give you more freedom of movement. Carefully applied heat and cold treatment can also be good options for home care.
If your neck pain and other symptoms remain severe — unfortunately, this can happen — you may be a candidate for minimally invasive surgery for your cervical stenosis. Dr. Cohen is highly experienced in this type of muscle-sparing procedure, which offers multiple benefits, including faster recovery time and reduced pain, scarring, bleeding, and risk of post-surgical infection.
Depending on your specific situation, Dr. Cohen may advise one of the following procedures for you:
Stubborn neck pain, discomfort, and weakness in your other extremities, as well as diminished ability to use your hands confidently and comfortably, are not things you should accept. Cervical stenosis affects your quality of life, and Dr. Cohen can help you feel better, move more, and lose the pain.
Contact our Garden City office at 516-246-5008 to schedule an appointment, or contact us through our website.
