Spinal stenosis is a complex chronic disorder that affects the spinal cord or spinal nerve, causing numbness, pain, tingling, and weakness, particularly on your back, arms, or legs. It is not a sudden condition as it develops gradually with age. Older people are more likely to develop spinal stenosis due to constant wear and tear. This condition has no cure or treatments that can stop its progression, but various conservative therapies can help alleviate its symptoms. Visit a spinal stenosis Memorial Area specialist to determine which treatments can improve your condition and help you live a pain-free life. If you have spinal stenosis, here is everything you should know about it.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is caused by several age-related issues that lead to the narrowing of the spine. Fortunately, some of these issues are manageable through healthy lifestyle changes and spinal stenosis exercises.
Some common health conditions that cause spinal stenosis include osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, Paget’s disease of the bone, and scoliosis. Other common causes include severe back injuries, tumors, thickened ligaments, and congenital disorders.
What Are the Different Types of Spinal Stenosis?
There are two common types of spinal stenosis. They include the central canal and foraminal stenosis. Central canal stenosis occurs when the vertebral foramina in your spine narrows. It can occur anywhere on your spine but mostly affects the lumbar and cervical spine.
Foraminal stenosis occurs when one or more intervertebral foramina narrows and compresses the spinal nerve. This type of spinal stenosis mostly affects the lumbar, but it can occur anywhere along your spine.
What Is the Course of Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis often develops slowly over time. It also causes intermittent pain, one that comes and disappears. You are likely to experience spinal stenosis symptoms during certain activities or positions, such as standing upright for long periods, walking, running, or biking.
Often at times, you might feel relief when sitting or lying down or flexing in a forward bending position. When your spinal stenosis worsens, you might experience neurological deficits such as problems with balance, permanent numbness, and weakness in your arms and legs. If this happens, your doctor may recommend surgery after a proper diagnosis.
Which Diagnostic Tests Are Recommended for Spinal Stenosis?
Several types of tests help in making an accurate diagnosis of spinal stenosis. During your first appointment, your doctor reviews your medical history to determine your risk of developing the condition.
If you have any signs of this condition, your doctor conducts a physical examination by asking you to perform a range of motions and reflexes. This step helps them determine the source of your pain and the possible causes.
Even if your medical history and physical examination suggest spinal stenosis, a medical imaging procedure is still necessary. The most common imaging tests to diagnose spinal stenosis include MRI, CT scan, X-ray, and myelography.
How Is Spinal Stenosis Treated?
While spinal stenosis has no specific cure, you can effectively manage it through physical therapy and exercises that help minimize inactivity. It would be best to avoid activities that might worsen your condition, such as running or walking for long periods.
Pain medications, muscle relaxers, opioids, and anti-inflammatory drugs can also help alleviate pain caused by spinal stenosis. Epidural injections also reduce inflammation and pain around the spinal cord and nerve roots. For severe spinal stenosis, more invasive surgical treatments may be necessary.
Are you experiencing intermittent pain in your back, legs, and arms? Visit the Expert Pain clinic and consult Dr. Skaribas on the best treatment options for your condition. You will receive a proper diagnosis to determine the cause of your pain and effective solutions to disable the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Call today or schedule an appointment online.
