Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Persistent neck pain or stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in arms or hands
- Arm or hand weakness
- Difficulty with coordination or fine motor tasks
- Worsening symptoms over months or years
Cervical
Stenosis .
Cervical stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal or nerve openings in the neck narrow over time. This narrowing can compress nerves or the spinal cord, leading to neck pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling in the arms or hands, weakness, and difficulty with coordination or daily activities.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Cervical (Neck) spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
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Cervical Stenosis at a glance
- What it is: Cervical stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal or nerve openings in the neck narrow over time. This narrowing can compress nerves or the spinal cord, leading to neck pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling in the arms or hands, weakness, and difficulty with coordination or daily activities.
- Common symptoms: Persistent neck pain or stiffness; Numbness or tingling in arms or hands; Arm or hand weakness.
- First-line treatment: Activity modification & physical therapy — Core and neck strengthening, posture correction, and pacing can stabilize symptoms.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding cervical stenosis
Causes
Common causes
- Age-related wear (most common)
- Bone spurs (osteophytes)
- Thickened ligaments
- Disc herniation or bulging
- Prior neck injury or arthritis
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Activity modification & physical therapy — Core and neck strengthening, posture correction, and pacing can stabilize symptoms.
- Medication — NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and nerve-pain medication may reduce inflammation and discomfort.
- Epidural steroid injections — Targeted injections can quiet inflamed nerves and buy time for conservative care to work.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Cervical laminoplasty — A motion-preserving surgery that creates more space for the spinal cord without fusion. Dr. Yasmeh is among a small percentage of surgeons specifically trained in this procedure.
- Cervical decompression with or without fusion — When clinically required, Dr. Yasmeh performs minimally invasive decompression — and chooses fusion only when stability demands it.
Common questions
About cervical stenosis.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Cervical Laminoplasty
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreSpinal Decompression
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreSpinal Fusion
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreMinimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreReady when you are
Get clarity on your cervical stenosis today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.