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- Spinal Stenosis: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments
Sedentary lifestyle - a key contributing factor leading to spinal problems and deformities. A growing number of spinal issues cases are caused by the current lifestyle which includes long hours of sitting, lack of physical activities, poor posture, improper lifting, etc. The young are now impacted by the same problems that formerly plagued the elderly.
With back pain/issues becoming increasingly prevalent in people of all ages, one such common condition causing pain, tingling, and numbness in the back is spinal stenosis.
Spinal stenosis is a condition that progresses slowly over time. Although it may not initially have any clear symptoms, it eventually causes pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arms, neck, back, legs, feet, and other areas. The symptoms worsen over time.
The spine is the body's primary support structure and it is made up of several components including the spinal canal. The spinal canal is the route that nerves travel through the spine to reach various body parts. The nerves that pass through the spine begin to compress as a result of these spaces getting smaller which results in spinal stenosis. The space may contract as a result of bone overgrowth spine injuries and—most commonly—aging-related wear and tear.
The narrowing of spaces may irritate, compress or pinch the nerves passing through resulting in pain tingling weakness or numbness throughout the body depending on which nerve is compressed.
Types of Spinal Stenosis:
Although it can happen to anyone at any age spinal stenosis is most common in those over 50. The region of the spine that is impacted determines the type of spinal stenosis typically the upper and lower spine are more affected. Spinal stenosis can be classified into various types based on the affected part of the spine and narrowed areas of the spine.
By Location
Cervical Spine (Neck): Stenosis in the cervical/upper spine compresses the spinal cord, and nerves and can cause pain and numbness in the neck, shoulders, and problems balancing while standing or walking. Thoracic Spine (Mid-Back): Stenosis in the mid-back spine is not very common but when they do occur they can cause problems in the legs and back. Lumbar Spine (Lower Back): Stenosis in the lower back is the most common type of spine stenosis. It may result in lower back pain, tingling and numbness in the legs, feet and toes.By Areas of Narrowing
Central Stenosis: A condition where narrowing occurs on the central canal where a bundle of nerve roots is located. Lateral Stenosis:This involves stenosis affecting the area where the nerve roots branch off from the spinal cord.Causes of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis can occur in people of any age, however, it is more common in the elderly or in those who have had spinal injuries. Spinal stenosis can result from a number of causes including acquired factors brought on by wear and tear over time and congenital factors. Some of the common causes that contribute to spinal stenosis include, Herniated disk: Herniated disk/slipped disk is a condition when the disk (a gel-like cushion) that separates the vertebrae becomes less effective, gets displaced or leaks out and starts to compress/push the surrounding nerves. Bone overgrowth: The joint cartilage begins to deteriorate with age as a result of wear and tear. As the cartilage completely wears off the bones begin to rub against one another. The body begins to grow new bones as a natural response leading to narrowing the canal and compressing the nerves. Spinal injury: Any injury, fracture or dislocation in the spine can cause narrowing of the canal space. Even swelling and scar tissue from an injury can also contribute to spinal stenosis. Spinal tumours/cysts: Abnormal growths like tumours/cysts in the spinal cord can reduce the space and lead to nerve compression. Other conditions like thickened ligaments, inflammatory issues, and congenital factors can also cause spinal stenosis.
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
The symptoms can vary depending on the area of stenosis on the spine. Stenosis on the cervical spine can cause pain in the neck, arms, shoulders, etc, while stenosis on the lower spine can cause pain and discomfort in the lower back, legs, feet, etc. The region of the spine that is impacted determines the type of spinal stenosis. Some of the common symptoms of spinal stenosis include,
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in shoulders, arms, hands
- Loss of balance (Difficulty walking, clumsiness)
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in the torso, abdomen
- Sharp, shooting pain down the leg
- Difficulty standing or walking for long periods
- Lower back pain, often radiating to the buttocks or legs
- Numbness or weakness in the legs or feet
Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis
A spine specialist can perform a physical examination to diagnose spinal stenosis. The expert can perform a physical examination, comprehend the symptoms and suggest certain imaging tests to determine the location, nature and severity of the issue. In order to diagnose spinal stenosis some imaging tests are frequently used. Some of the commonly used imaging tests to diagnose spinal stenosis are, Spine X-ray: Provides a basic view of the spine to help identify bone spurs, fractures, etc. MRI: Gives a detailed image of the soft tissues, disk, ligaments, nerves, etc. CT Scan: Helps create 2D images of the spine & highlights narrowing in the canal.
Treatment Options for Spinal Stenosis
The treatment of spinal stenosis depends on the type, severity, and age of the patients. Spinal stenosis treatment can range from non-invasive methods to surgical methods. Non-Surgical Treatments: Non-surgical treatments are suggested for patients with mild symptoms. These include, Medications: Prescribed medicines and muscle relaxants can help reduce pain and discomfort. Physical therapy: These involve exercises to strengthen the core and back muscles, and help with enhancing posture and flexibility. Lifestyle modifications: Maintaining a correct posture, regularly exercising, and avoiding activities that add strain to the spine can help with treating the deformities. The severity and age of the patient influence how spinal stenosis is treated. Treatments for spinal stenosis can include both non-invasive and surgical approaches. Non-Surgical Treatments: For patients with mild symptoms non-surgical treatments are advised. Medication: Muscle relaxants and prescription medications can help lessen pain and discomfort. Physical Therapy: Involve exercises to strengthen the core and back muscles, and help enhance posture and flexibility. Lifestyle changes: Correct posture, consistent exercise, and avoiding activities that put additional strain on the spine can all aid in the treatment. Surgical Treatments: The type of stenosis and the severity of the symptoms determine whether surgery is necessary. Surgery is the recommended treatment when non-surgical means of treating stenosis are not enough. Conditions like bone spurs, herniated disks, neurological disorders, and other severe conditions require surgical intervention. Surgery such as laminectomy, foraminotomy, spinal fusion, etc are among the procedures used to treat spinal stenosis.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
A patient's age, underlying medical conditions, treatment approach (surgical/non-surgical), and the severity of the issue all affect the duration of recovery and rehabilitation. Non-surgical recovery concentrates on symptom management and preventing the condition from getting worse. A minimally invasive procedure may require a few weeks to recover from, however, an invasive procedure may require several months to fully recover. A speedier recovery could be achieved by following the specialist's instructions, staying away from high-risk activities etc.
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FAQs about Spinal Stenosis
Can spinal stenosis be cured?
Spinal stenosis is a condition that cannot be cured, however, symptoms can be effectively managed with a variety of treatments.
Can spinal stenosis kill you?
An untreated spinal stenosis can affect the nerves significantly or permanently leading to paralysis.
What are the 4 stages of spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis consists of 4 stages. Stage 0 – no narrowing, no symptom stage, stage 1 – mild narrowing, stage 2 – moderate narrowing, stage 3 – severe narrowing.
What are the worst symptoms of spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis if left untreated can cause severe weakness, paralysis, loss of balance, loss of motor skills, loss of bladder control, etc.
