Cervical spinal stenosis and myelopathy

The spinal cord runs centrally in the spinal canal. Laterally, nerve roots emerge from the spinal column. A narrowing of the spinal canal can compress both the spinal cord and the nerve roots and lead to disorders. Nerve root compression is painful, but in contrast to spinal cord compression (cervical myelopathy), which is usually painless, it is less dangerous. However, both types of compression can permanently damage or even destroy tissue. This can occur directly via mechanical compression of the spinal cord or via vascular damage by stretching the spinal cord vessels or the feeding anterior spinal artery.

The incidence of stenosis in the elderly population that does not cause symptoms is at least 25% *. The symptoms of spinal cord compression usually develop insidiously and non-specifically. In the case of pure spinal cord compressions, which are usually painless, years may pass from the first symptom until diagnosis.

Due to the different types of damage to the spinal cord, neurosurgeons and neurologists recognize typical syndromes *, *:

The spontaneous course of the disease is very variable, with worsening more common than improvement. A worsening of the symptoms usually takes place over a longer period of time. However, it can also occur rapidly, and unfortunately the symptoms are then often no longer reversible. Neurological deterioration in episodes has been observed in 75% of patients *. Evidence suggests that approximately 5% of all patients with asymptomatic spinal cord compression become symptomatic each year *.

Acute courses are also known. These are usually patients with significant stenosis without symptoms who suffer acute damage to the spinal cord due to a minor injury. Under certain circumstances, this can lead to severe paralysis of the arms and legs *.

However: Since the symptoms caused by the constriction are initially gradual, varied and non-specific, the problem of the cervical spine is often only diagnosed at an advanced stage. It is not uncommon for patients to come to us in neurosurgery only after unsuccessful carpal tunnel surgery or after clarification of a suspected multiple sclerosis.

In view of the increasing aging of the population and the expectation of an active lifestyle into old age, as well as the improved medical care and the low surgical risks, the question arises more and more frequently whether a stenosis should be operated on. Here, it should be taken into account that at least 25% of spinal stenoses in the elderly do not produce any symptoms. Therefore, clear criteria for an indication for surgery as well as a reasonable stepwise therapy are necessary.

In cases with wear and tear symptoms or mild nerve compression without myelopathy on MRI imaging, treatment with the following principles is often successful *:

• Short-term immobilization with a cervical spine brace and/or intermittent bed rest to relieve acute symptoms
• Drug therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants
• Local infiltration of a nerve with steroids and local anesthesia
• Physiotherapeutic traction treatment (longitudinal stretching of the cervical spine), loosening massages, acupuncture, low-level laser therapy
• Reconstruction and stabilization of the cervical spine through targeted strengthening of the
  • neck muscles
  • musculature of the upper quadrant
  • shoulders
• Avoidance of activities that lead to heavy, permanent strain or to incorrect posture of the cervical spine

Non-medical professionals always dramatize the risk of spinal cord injury. However, in reality it is very low (< 1%). Rare is also the injury of a nerve during surgery or the occurrence of postoperative bleeding into the spinal canal (< 1-2%). Due to the access in the neck area, dysphagia or hoarseness may occur after surgery, which are usually temporary in nature (5%). Wound complications are also rare. In addition, in rare cases, the plastic implants can become loose or sink into the vertebrae. In most cases, however, this does not require treatment. Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that despite the high level of safety of modern cervical spine surgery, there is a small risk of serious complications. For this reason, the indication for surgery should be made very carefully.

Since this type of surgery can be performed more gently and quickly today, our patients are mobilized the day after the operation. During this process, the head and neck are supported by a soft tie for 1–2 weeks. Swallowing may be temporarily somewhat painful, as with a cold.

About 70–80% of all patients improve. This is most pronounced when the disease is recognized with mild symptoms and surgery is performed early. With more severe symptoms, the improvement is less pronounced. This is because the spinal cord is part of the central nervous system and cannot regenerate as well as peripheral nerves. This shows how important early diagnosis is for the further course of the disease.

At the operated and immobilized level, this will very rarely be the case. However, the fusion of two vertebral bodies can increase the stress on the neighboring vertebrae. These connection degenerations are known and occur annually in about 3% of operated patients *. However, it is not possible to say with certainty whether they are due to the fusion or whether they would have occurred spontaneously. Connective degeneration can, however, be the cause of renewed pathological degeneration with instability or excess tissue formation and lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal again.

To prevent the spinal cord from being damaged, it needs sufficient space in the spinal canal. Unfortunately, there are no patent remedies against the wear and tear of the spine and reactive narrowing. The most important preventive measure have proven to be strong and healthy neck muscles and a relaxed head posture. Working for long periods of time with a bent neck or in forced postures, such as jamming the phone between the head and shoulder, should be avoided. You should also look as straight ahead as possible when working at a computer screen. Likewise, working overhead for long periods of time or frequently carrying heavy loads on the head can accelerate wear and tear on the spine.