Cervical stenosis is a bone disease where the cavity in the neck that houses the spinal cord or nerve root gets smaller. This constriction may produce complex neurological conditions and severe pain. The condition can be treated if it is diagnosed early on. This also prevents further complications. Listed below are five signs that may indicate you have cervical stenosis:

1. Neck Pain and Stiffness

The initial and main symptom of cervical stenosis is chronic neck discomfort and stiffness. You may experience discomfort and pain primarily in the neck region or a feeling of tightness in your muscles that restricts the range of movement of your head. While this stiffness may only show up in certain situations, it tends to become worse with time as the spinal canal starts to narrow further. The pain you experience may vary depending on your posture, how far you move, your posture during work, or when you remain stationary for long periods of time. The causes of cervical stenosis include degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, and injuries that lead to inflammation of the spinal canal. The most common cause of these changes is aging which causes wearing out of the spine, resulting in degenerative disc disease and arthritis that affects the spinal joints. (more…)