Cervical spinal canal stenosis is not as common as lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis but it can have more serious symptoms such as paralysis and weakness that affects the entire body. Other symptoms of cervical spinal canal stenosis may include:

• Stiffness and/or pain in the neck, shoulders and arms
• Numbness and weakness in the hands or legs
• Problems with balance, especially when walking
• Crippling caused by spinal cord damage
• Loss of bowel and/or bladder control
  

  Causes

  Aging is one of the main causes of cervical spinal canal stenosis as it causes changes in the shape and size of the spinal canal. Other common causes of cervical spinal canal stenosis include:

  • Herniation of a spinal disc
  • Thickening of the ligaments
  • Bone spurs that protrude into the spinal canal
  • A naturally narrow spinal canal (since birth)