M99.60: Osseous and subluxation stenosis of intervertebral foramina Head region

The openings between your vertebrae have narrowed where your head meets your cervical spine.

The spine consists of several sections. The cervical spine begins below the head. The cervical spine is very mobile. Below that is the thoracic spine. The ribs are attached to the thoracic spine. Below the thoracic spine is the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is also very mobile and it bears a large part of the body’s weight. After the lumbar spine, the sacrum and coccyx join. The spine is made up of the individual vertebrae. Between every 2 vertebrae there is a vertebral disc. To the right and left of the spine, at the level of each vertebra, a spinal nerve comes out. The spinal nerves come out of the spine through openings between the vertebrae. The spinal nerves transmit information between the spine and the body.

The openings between your vertebrae have narrowed due to changes in your vertebrae. Changes can occur in vertebrae if the spine has suffered wear and tear, for example. Wear and tear can result in the formation of bony outgrowths which constrict the openings between the vertebrae. Neighboring vertebrae can also move relative to one another so that the openings are constricted. If the openings between the vertebrae are constricted, this can damage the spinal cord nerves.

If your spinal cord nerves get damaged, it might be painful or you may have sensory malfunctions. This can affect your neck or arms, for example. For example, the skin in the affected areas may tingle or be numb. It may also be that you are no longer able to move certain muscles properly.