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Treatments

Cervical Spine

Non-surgical Treatments

Surgical and non-surgical treatments are available to treat cervical stenosis. Non-surgical type treatments are more common for most cervical stenosis cases. Most cervical stenosis cases can be treated with analgesics, which are medications that relieve pain . Some anti-inflammatory drugs include NSAIDS or corticosteroids and some pain alleviating drugs include muscle relaxants, which calm spasms, and analgesics. The neck may need to be immobilized with the use of a neck brace or cervical collar. This immobilization is usually only necessary for a short period of time. Physical therapy is a commonly used non-surgical form of treatment. Stretching, massages, and bracing can help strengthen the neck, increase mobility and flexibility and gain endurance .

Laminectomies

If the non-surgical treatments prove to be ineffective after about six to eight weeks, surgical treatment may be needed . The different surgical procedures act to release pressure and decompress or widen the spinal cord either from the front, top or back . During a laminectomy the surgeon will either replace or remove the top of the vertebrae called the laminae. This procedure is beneficial because it releases the pressure being put on the spinal canal, which allows more room for the nerves in the spinal canal . If the back of the spinal cord is being removed, this is called a Posterior Cervical Laminectomy.

Other Surgical Options

If the surgery includes decompressing the spinal cord through the anterior side, intervertebral discs will be removed sometimes due to them bulging or being herniated. This procedure is known as a discectomy. If the cervical stenosis is more severe, a spinal fusion can be performed. This surgery requires using a piece of bone from another part of the body, more commonly the hip, and combining it with the spine .