What nerves are affected by C6 and C7?
From the lateral cord, C5, C6, and C7 supply the pectoralis major and minor muscles, via the lateral and medial pectoral nerves, as well as the coracobrachialis, brachialis and biceps brachii, via the musculocutaneous nerve. The musculocutaneous nerve provides sensation to the skin of the lateral forearm.
Is surgery necessary for severe cervical spinal stenosis?
Treatment Options for Cervical Spinal Stenosis Most people with spinal stenosis do not need surgery. For many patients, nonsurgical treatments—and there are many options—effectively reduce and manage pain and symptoms. Your doctor may recommend one therapy or combine it with different types of treatment.
Is severe cervical spinal stenosis serious?
Cervical spinal stenosis can potentially cause serious problems with the nervous system, including problems with bowel or bladder control (incontinence) and permanent loss of strength and feeling in the arms, hands, legs, and chest.
What can happens if cervical spinal stenosis is left untreated?
It occurs from spinal stenosis that causes pressure on the spinal cord. If untreated, this can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death. Symptoms may affect your gait and balance, dexterity, grip strength and bowel or bladder function.
What does the C6/C7 nerve control?
The C6-C7 Nerve Root This nerve root controls both muscle and skin in the arm via its sensory and motor roots. Some basic actions like stretching the fingers, contracting the triceps, and moving the elbow and wrists are controlled by the C7 motor roots.
What causes narrowing of C6 and C7?
Spondylosis or chronic degeneration of the vertebrae, disc, and other structures in the spine is common at the C6-C7 level. Spondylosis may result in stenosis or the narrowing of the intervertebral foramina or spinal canal due to the formation of bone spurs (osteophytes).
When should I have surgery for cervical spinal stenosis?
If cervical degenerative disc disease symptoms last for 6 months despite trying multiple treatment options, surgery may become an option. In cases where tingling, numbness, weakness, and/or problems with coordination are worsening or severe, surgery may be scheduled much sooner rather than waiting months.
How successful is cervical stenosis surgery?
Cervical (Neck) Stenosis Surgery This procedure can be done as a day surgery procedure or with a one-day hospital stay with return to regular activity within the week and generally a 90% success rate.
When should you have surgery for cervical spinal stenosis?
Can you live a normal life with cervical spinal stenosis?
There’s no cure, but there are a variety of nonsurgical treatments and exercises to keep the pain at bay. Most people with spinal stenosis live normal lives.
What part of the body does C6/C7 affect?
neck
The C6-C7 disc is 6th cervical disc near the lower part of the neck, near the top of the shoulders. The nerve root that would be affected by the C6-C7 disc herniation controls the arms, the shoulders, the heart, the lungs, and more.
What is the prognosis of severe spinal stenosis?
In most cases the prognosis for spinal stenosis is very good. Many people can obtain good relief of their symptoms with nonsurgical treatment. In some case, as the stenosis becomes more severe, the nonsurgical treatment become less effective. For those patients, surgery is a good option to consider.
What are the symptoms of C5 C6 stenosis?
Typical symptoms of foraminal stenosis c5-c6 include numbness, weakness, or tingling in regions such as your arms or legs. In addition, the pain may increase over time slowly and increases when you’re doing activities that may irritate that nerve.
What are the leading causes of spinal stenosis?
Aging. Spinal stenosis is most common in people over 50.
Is surgery the only option for stenosis?
Spinal Stenosis : Surgery is NOT the Only Option. For countless people who suffer the agonizing pain associated with Spinal Stenosis, the treatment option that is presented time and time again is surgery.