The term "cervical stenosis" refers to narrowing of openings in the spinal column of the neck through which nerves pass. Bone spurs that grow as a result of osteoarthritis can obstruct these passages. When obstructions such as bony overgrowths within the spinal column impinge on the nerves of the neck, a number of troubling symptoms can result, such as pain, muscle weakness or even organ dysfunction.
Injury Due to Loss of Sensation
Sensory nerves of the body pass from the brain through openings in the cervical spine to enable the perception of feelings such as itching or pain. When damage to the cervical sensory nerves is caused by stenosis, the areas served by those nerves may experience numbness.
The New York Times states that the inability to feel pain can cause complications. Individuals suffering from sensory nerve damage due to cervical stenosis may not notice injuries to the extremities which can become infected.
Paralysis
The motor nerves, which conduct nerve impulses from the brain to the muscles, can fail to function properly due to compression from bone spurs or bulging intervertebral discs. Spinal stenosis that affects the central canal of the vertebral column can cause serious damage to motor function, especially if it occurs in the cervical spine.
According to Dr. Peter Ullrich of the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin, cervical spinal cord compression can cause a deterioration in motor skills that becomes progressively worse. If not treated it can grow from a feeling of heavy, slow moving legs to major body weakness, inability to walk and even paralysis.
Incontinence
In cases of cervical spinal stenosis, the nerves that regulate the muscle tone of the bladder and bowel sometimes become compromised. When this occurs, excretory function is affected, and complications such as incontinence, constipation and bladder spasms can ensue, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Permanent Nerve Damage
The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that medical intervention is almost always necessary in order to halt the progression of cervical myelopathy due to spinal stenosis.
The New York Times adds that even with treatment some nerves may never fully heal from the damage. Permanent nerve damage could result in chronic muscle weakness, pain, numbness or paresthesia, which is commonly referred to as a "pins and needles" sensation.
