Diagnosis of Cervical Stenosis

Symptoms of Cervical Stenosis

Patients with spinal cord problems complain mainly of gradual loss of coordination; i.e. walking and using their hands. For example, they observe that they cannot walk in straight line or button their shirts. Other symptoms include: heavy feeling of the legs and shooting pains in the arms and hands. These may also include local pain in the neck and spasm of the neck muscles.

Medical History and Examination

Dr. Aji will take a history of the illness, and then conduct an examination for weakness and reflexes in the arms and legs, and for any sensation changes.

Diagnostic Tests

The diagnosis will be confirmed by performing plain X-rays and a scan (called an MRI) of the cervical spine. The MRI will show exactly how much the spinal canal is narrowed and how much it is affecting the spinal cord.

Source: Eurospine Patient Line