Spinal Stenosis | Types , Symptoms And Causes

Spinal stenosis causes the narrowing of space in the spine. Some people who have the condition don't have any signs. Others may feel discomfort, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. Spinal wear and tear from arthritis is the main cause of spinal stenosis. Patients with severe spinal obstructions may need surgery. Treatments can increase spine space. This reduces spinal cord or nerve pressure problems. However, surgery is unable to heal arthritis, which is why the discomfort in the spine may persist.

Symptoms

No symptoms in this condition are common. Signs develop slowly and worsen. Symptoms vary by spine region like as explained below:

Lower Back

One or both legs may cramp with lumbar spinal stenosis. This happens when you stand or walk for long periods of time. Sitting or bending improves symptoms. Other people have back pain.

In the Neck

A cervical spinal stenosis can cause: 

• Numbness

• Tingling or weakness in hands, legs, feet, or arms

• Balance and walking issues

• Neck discomfort

• Bowel or bladder problems

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis narrows the spinal canal, pushing the lower back nerves into the legs. Although it may affect younger patients due to developmental factors, it is mostly a degenerative condition that affects people aged 60 and older. Spinal canal narrowing is a common process that takes years or decades. 

The discs become less spongy as they age, which can lead to a loss of disc height and the protrusion of the hardened disc into the spinal canal. Ligaments may thicken, and bone spurs may form. They all restrict the main canal and may or may not cause symptoms. Inflammation, nerve compression, or both may cause symptoms.

It can be linked to a combination of spondylolisthesis and scoliosis. A degenerative condition, scoliosis, causes back pain that starts slowly and is activity-related. The spine curvature in this type of scoliosis is usually mild. Failure to reduce discomfort with nonsurgical treatments may require surgery. Also different spinal stenosis therapies can also benefit this condition.

Diagnosis

Imaging investigations may include:

• X-rays show bone structure, spine alignment, and joints by focusing radiation through the body.

• A CT scan, or CAT scan, combines numerous X-rays to reveal the spinal canal, its contents, and surrounding structures with bony architecture.

• MRI shows the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding areas, as well as enlargement, degeneration, and tumors.

• A myelogram is an X-ray or CT scan that injects contrast dye into the spinal fluid space to define the nerves and spinal cord and reveal any strain on them.

Life With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

• Learning about your disease, working with your healthcare team, and participating in your treatment are the best ways to manage this condition.

• Maintain a healthy weight, proper body mechanics, and frequent exercise to protect your lower back. Physical therapy can alleviate back discomfort, improve muscles, and promote mobility.

• An ice pack, heating pad, massage, or long, hot shower can assist. Glucosamine and chondroitin are prescribed for osteoarthritis, but recent research has proved unsuccessful. 

• Ask your doctor about nutritional supplements and alternative treatments or medications. If you're searching for the spinal stenosis doctors near me, then going to a Dallas medical facility with expert physicians is the best option.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Cervical spinal stenosis occurs when the cervical spine narrows enough to compress the spinal cord's nerve roots or cord. The narrowing pressure can impact everything the spinal cord does, including moving, touching, walking, and bladder and bowel control.

Causes and Symptoms

Stenosis can result from spinal cord injuries, although it's mainly caused by aging. Degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis, disc herniation, ligament thickening, and cartilage loss are all common conditions. Symptoms usually develop gradually. 

Symptoms can vary from no symptoms to worsening in severe stenosis. Besides neck pain, patients may have extremity weakness or numbness, problems walking or balancing, and incontinence or bowel dysfunction. Mild spinal stenosis treatment can include NSAIDs like ibuprofen, posture correction, and physical therapy. Spinal surgery will relieve compression in severe situations. Some of the avoidances for cervical spinal stenosis are :

• Avoid painful or dangerous actions. 

• Lifting large objects

• High-impact sports like sprinting and leaping

• Contact sports

• Bad posture

• Texting or typing without breaks is repetitive.

• Smoking 

Management and Treatment

There are several spinal stenosis treatments. The option depends on:

• The cause

• Location of the issue

• The severity of your symptom

Non Surgical Treatments

Nonsurgical treatments mostly control spinal stenosis symptoms. Among them:

• Oral medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs can reduce pain and inflammation. Ask a spinal stenosis specialist in Dallas about the long-term side effects of these drugs. Your doctor may also prescribe painkillers. Gabapentin and amitriptyline are examples. Muscle relaxants may relieve cramps and spasms.

• Physical therapy: Physical therapists will help you build strength, balance, flexibility, and spine stability with a back-healthy exercise program. Strengthening your core and back will help your spine. Physical therapists can teach you how to walk to widen your spinal canal, relieving nerve strain. 

• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections around pinched spinal nerves may relieve inflammation, discomfort, and irritation.

Surgical Options

Your spine is sensitive, and spinal stenosis is complicated. Thus, clinicians only contemplate surgery when all other treatments fail. Fortunately, most spinal stenosis patients don't need surgery. Pain management in Dallas can assist you with all of the surgery procedures and provide you with personalized plans based on your condition. Different spine surgeries include:

Laminectomy

The best treatment for spinal stenosis procedure is laminectomy . The vertebral lamina is removed. Some ligaments and bone spurs may be removed by the surgeon. The spinal cord and nerve space are increased by the surgery. Cervical stenosis treatment involves laminoplasty. The surgeon removes the lamina to expand the channel. They built a hinged bridge over the bone removal area with metal plates and screws.

Foraminotomy

Nerve roots exit vertebral through the foramen. This treatment removes bone or tissue to make room for nerve roots.

Interspinous Process Spacers

This minimally invasive procedure treats lumbar spinal stenosis. Spacers are placed between spinous processes on each vertebra by the surgeon. The spacers separate your vertebrae, giving nerves more room.

Healthcare providers last resort to spinal fusion. They only consider it if you have radiating nerve pain from spinal stenosis, an unstable spine, and no previous treatments have worked. Two vertebrae are permanently fused in spinal fusion surgery. You need to find the best doctor for spinal stenosis who can help you with your discomfort.

Expert Care For Spinal Stenosis