Spinal stenosis is defined as a narrowing of the spinal space and/or compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots as they exit each vertebra. A common cause changes in your spine as you age. Back and/or neck pain, as well as numbness, tingling, an...
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Spinal stenosis is defined as a narrowing of the spinal space and/or compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots as they exit each vertebra. A common cause changes in your spine as you age. Back and/or neck pain, as well as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and legs, are symptoms.
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of one or more sections of your spine. The amount of space available to your spinal cord and nerves spreading off it is reduced. As a result of the narrowed space, the spinal cord or nerves may become inflamed or pinched, causing back pain and claudication pain known as neurogenic claudication.
Spinal stenosis usually develops over a long period of time, especially beyond the age of 50. The most prevalent cause is osteoarthritis, or "wear and tear" changes in the spine that occur naturally as people age. As a result, if certain changes are detected on X-rays or other imaging tests done for a different reason, you may not experience any symptoms for a long time.
To get proper treatments for spinal stenosis visit Pentagon Hospital, which has the best brain and spine Surgeon in Aurangabad.
What parts of the body does spinal stenosis affect?
Spinal stenosis can affect any section of the spine, however, it most commonly affects two:
-Neck (cervical spinal stenosis)
-Lower back (lumbar canal stenosis)
Who has spinal stenosis affected?
Although anybody can get spinal stenosis, it is most common in men and women over the age of 50. Younger people who were born with a narrow spinal canal can develop spinal stenosis. A range of illnesses that affect the spine, such as scoliosis or a spinal injury, can induce spinal stenosis.
Spinal stenosis can be caused by a variety of factors.
Spinal stenosis can occur for a variety of reasons. They all have one thing in common: they change the structure of your spine, narrowing the space around your spinal cord and the nerve roots that exit through it. Symptoms such as low back pain and sciatica are caused by compression or pinching of the spinal cord or nerve roots.
The causes are:
Bulging disks/herniated discs: the vertebral disc is a flat, circular cushioning pad that rests between each vertebra and acts as a stress absorber along the spine. Due to age-related drying out and flattening of vertebral discs, as well as cracking in the exterior border of the discs, the gel-like center of these discs breaks through a weak or damaged outer layer. The bulging disc then compresses the nerves near the disc.
Herniated discs and bone spurs usually induce spinal stenosis by narrowing the spinal and neural foramina.
Ligaments have thickened, which means the fiber bands that hold the spine together have thickened. As a result of arthritis, ligaments might expand and bulge into the spinal canal space (and can cause lateral recess syndrome)
Spinal stenosis is frequently caused by both disc prolapse and ligament and facet enlargement.
Damage to the spine can cause inflammation, which might narrow the canal space or put pressure on the nerves.
Bone overgrowth/ arthritic spurs: Osteoarthritis is a "wear and tear" condition in which cartilage in your joints, including your spine, breaks down. Cartilage is the protective layer that covers joints. When cartilage is lost, the bones begin to rub against one another. Your body responds by making more bone tissue. Bone spurs, also known as bone overgrowth, are very frequent.
Vertebral bone spurs extend into the spinal canal, constricting space and squeezing nerves.
Spinal stenosis symptoms include:
1. Lower back (lumbar) spinal stenosis:
-Lower back pain is a very prevalent condition. Pain can range from a minor ache or discomfort to a burning or electrifying sensation. Pain is natural and will come and go.
-Sciatica is a type of pain that begins in the buttocks and travels down the leg, possibly into the foot.
-Leg cramps in one or both legs owing to a heavy sensation in the legs after walking for a short period of time in the beginning, later phases even a few steps might cause leg pain ( neurogenic claudication)
-Numbness or tingling in the buttocks, leg or foot (sometimes known as "pins and needles") is a common symptom.
2. Neck (cervical) spinal stenosis:
-Neck pain
-Numbness or tingling in the arm, hand, leg, or foot. (Symptoms can appear anywhere below the location of nerve compression)
-Weakness or clumsiness in an arm, hand, leg, or foot.
-Instability of the body's balance.
-Hand dysfunction, such as difficulties writing or buttoning clothing.
-Control issues with the bladder or bowels (in severe cases)
3. Abdomen (thoracic) spinal stenosis:
-There is pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness at or below the level of the abdomen.
-There are issues with equilibrium.
Diagnosis
Neuroimaging – MRI to see the degree of canal stenosis and disc herniation; X-rays to see the slide vertebrae and spondylolysis
Treatment
If your spine is showing, Medically, mild to severe canal stenosis and isometric spinal exercises will often suffice.
Surgery to relieve the compression is recommended in severe situations. Our expert Brain and Spine Surgeon in Aurangabad provides consultation and treatment to all neuro problems.
