Spinal Stenosis

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a disease where the spinal canal narrows. This narrowing can put additional pressure and compression on the spinal cord and can cause a pinched nerve roots. If the narrowing is in the lower part of the spinal cord, it is known as lumbar spinal stenosis and if the narrowing is in the upper part of the spinal cord, then it is called cervical spinal stenosis. Although stenosis can also occur in the thoracic or upper back, lumbar and cervical areas are the most common.

Who can receive spinal stenosis?

Although some people are born with spinal stenosis, the condition is usually seen in people over 50 who have a degenerative disc. Often, the results of spinal stenosis, the aging of the spine of normal activities. As we age, our spinal ligaments may calcify, bone spurs can form, and we can get a hernia or rupture discs. All these conditions can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal that can compress and pinch the spinal nerves.

Symptoms Spinal Stenosis

The symptoms of spinal stenosis may include back pain radiating to the legs, numbness or pain in the buttocks that worsens when walking or exercising, leg weakness, decreased endurance physical loss of balance, and leg and neck pain.

Treatment of spinal stenosis

In general, physicians tend to adopt a conservative approach in the initial treatment spinal stenosis. The medication such as painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling are usually prescribed first, with bed rest and reduced physical activity. Steroid injections can also be used to help reduce swelling Although the pain is usually temporary. Traction and spinal decompression may be prescribed, and physical therapy that can be used to help increase flexibility and build stamina.

If pain is severe, then surgery may be necessary to widen the spinal canal and to correct conditions that contribute to nerve compression. Some surgical procedures used to treat spinal stenosis include:

decompressive laminectomy. It is used to treat lumbar stenosis involves removing the upper part of the vertebra to create more space for the nerves.

Laminotomy. This is a partial removal of the blade that can be done to widen the spinal canal and relieve the compression on the nerve roots.

Foraminotomy. Removal of the bone, scar tissue, or other obstacles that are compressing the nerve root exiting the spinal canal.

Given the risks, many doctors will resort to surgical treatment only after non-surgical treatments have been tried first.

This article is not intended to replace the advice of a personal physician. Patients should talk to their doctor about any treatment options before taking a medical course of action.