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Spinal stenosis is described as a narrowing of one or more areas in your spine. Cervical stenosis occurs in the neck, whereas lumbar stenosis occurs in the lower back. This narrowing occurs in the spinal canal where your spinal cord or nerve roots live. Diseases such as arthritis and scoliosis can cause spinal stenosis, however, this condition can also be caused by spinal disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, or a spinal tumor.
Spinal stenosis puts pressure on the nerves and spinal cord, patients may experience one or a combination of the following symptoms:
- Cervical stenosis: Neck pain, arm pain and numbness, difficulty walking, problems with fine motor tasks with your hands (buttoning buttons, writing etc.)
- Lumbar Stenosis: Back and buttock pain, leg pain that is worse with walking, numbness in the legs and problems with bowel or bladder control
Diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis
Physicians typically begin a spinal stenosis diagnosis by asking a patient to describe his or her history of symptoms. Then the physician will conduct a physical examination to check for any limitations of movement in the spine, problems with balance, and signs of pain. A definitive diagnosis of spinal stenosis is often not established with x-rays, but rather with either CT myelogram (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning.
Spinal Stenosis Treatment
In mild cases of spinal stenosis, a physician may recommend one of the following non-surgical treatments: medications, corticosteroid injections, rest, physical therapy, and/or prescribed exercises as well as chiropractic treatment. Severe, impairing stenosis is typically treated with spinal surgery. Laminectomy decompression may be recommended to remove the overlying lamina of the spinal canal while fusion surgery or surgery that involves implanting instrumentation, such as plates/rods and screws, may be performed to stabilize the spine. If you are diagnosed with spinal stenosis, your physician will help you decide what treatment is best for you and your condition. |
