Spinal Stenosis
Understanding Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the human spine become narrower than they normally are. The narrowing leads to increased pressure on the nerves which travel through the spine, and this may result in pain. Most cases of stenosis affect the neck and the lower back.
The condition can be a little bit hard to diagnose because sometimes the patient may not have any symptoms. However, there are some cases where the patient will have symptoms such as numbness, weakness of the muscles and a tingling sensation in different parts of the body. Pain is also a common symptom, and it can worsen over time.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Arthritis is thought to be the single leading cause of spinal stenosis. Arthritis leads to the breakdown of cartilage, and excessive growth of bone tissue, which narrows the spinal canal. Osteoarthritis also causes thickening of the spinal ligaments and bone spurs which put extreme pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves. Other causes of spinal stenosis include:
- Herniated disks
- Spinal injuries
- Tumors within the spinal canal
- Thickened ligaments
Types of Spinal Stenosis
The types of stenosis depend on the exact part of the spine where the condition occurs. There are two main types:
- Cervical stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows in the neck area.
- Lumbar stenosis orrcurs when the canal narrows down in the lower back.
Lumbar stenosis is more common than cervical stenosis. When the condition is left untreated, it can deteriorate to multi-level spinal stenosis.
Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
As mentioned, there are times when stenosis starts developing without obvious symptoms. However, if the following symptoms are observed, the patient should book an appointment to try and get a diagnosis:
- Pain, stiffness, numbness and feeling weak in the hands, neck, and shoulders.
- Problems with balance and poor coordination when walking, especially if the spinal cord has been damaged.
- Some people may lose control of their bladder.
- Back pain
- Pain and cramping of one or both of the legs, especially when one stands or walks for long periods of time.
- In extreme cases, stenosis could cause paralysis.
People who are 50 years and above are most at risk of developing spinal stenosis.
Diagnosis Procedure
Doctors use a physical examination and the history of your past symptoms when trying to make a diagnosis. If you have four of the symptoms mentioned above, they may recommend that you get imaging tests on your back and neck.
The images will confirm the diagnosis and show the Doctor the cause of the stenosis, which will guide them in creating a treatment plan. There are times when blood tests could be needed because stenosis symptoms are similar to several other conditions such as MS and B12 Deficiency.
Treatment for Stenosis
Several types of therapies are used to treat the stenosis. In mild cases, painkillers, exercise, and therapies which maintain strength and stability are used.
In cases where the spine has been completely congested, the doctor may recommend a decompressive surgery whereby the discs, bone, or other material pressing on the nerves is removed. Surgery is a delicate procedure which most of the time is treated as a last resort.
Top 5 Routes for "Spinal Stenosis"
- Niams.nih.gov This site has a comprehensive list of questions and answers about spinal stenosis, the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
- Medlineplus.gov This website has the most up to date information about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options for stenosis.
- Health.harvard.edu The article on this site deals specifically with lumbar stenosis, how it is diagnosed and available treatments.
- Mayoclinic.org This article provides information about all aspects of spinal stenosis and allows people to contact potential physicians at mayo clinic locations. The website also provides information about any other number of topics beyond this article.
- Spinehealth.com This site has the most comprehensive information on the causes of stenosis as well as the signs and symptoms and the therapies and treatment alternatives that work.
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