Aging tags along with various complications, some of which you will never know until your doctor requests an imaging test. Spinal stenosis is one of the complications. However, spinal stenosis is not only a preserve for the elderly. Even the younger generation is susceptible to the condition. Spinal stenosis happens when your spinal space narrows, putting pressure on the nerves passing through the spine. As a result, you will most likely feel a tingling sensation that could lead to muscle weakness. Roswell spinal stenosis professionals at Apex Spine and Neurosurgery offer conservative therapies and advanced surgical techniques to provide patients with relief from the spinal condition.
What are the symptoms you will likely have when you have spinal stenosis?
Your doctor will classify your stenosis depending on the location of your spine. There are three significant types of stenosis and you can have more than one kind. The types are:
- Cervical stenosis. When you have this type of stenosis, the narrowing happens near your neck.
- Lumbar stenosis. This is the most common type of stenosis and the narrowing occurs in the areas of your lower back.
- Thoracic stenosis. This is the narrowing of your spine at the center of your back.
You are likely not to have any symptoms even though you have spinal stenosis. However, when you start having them, they will begin to gradually manifest before they worsen. Your symptoms will vary depending on your stenosis’s location and your affected nerves. Your symptoms will include:
In your neck
- Limb weakness
- A numbing or tingling sensation in your limbs
- Neck pain
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction in a severe case
In your lower back
- Foot or leg weakness
- A tingling sensation or numbness on your leg or foot
- Back pain
- Cramping or pain in the affected leg, especially when you stand for long periods of time.
What are the common causes of spinal stenosis?
Your spine stretches from your neck down to your lower back. While some people are born with a smaller than usual spinal canal, they can suffer from spinal stenosis when something narrows your spine’s small space. The various causes of the condition include:
- Bone overgrowth. The wearing and tearing of your spinal bone because of osteoarthritis. It is likely to result in bone growth on your vertebrae.
- Thickening of your ligaments. The tough cords holding your spinal cords together have a possibility of thickening and becoming stiff over time. When the bones thicken, they can easily push through your spinal canal.
- Tumors. The abnormal growth of tumors in your spinal cord or a different part of your spine.
- Spinal injuries. An accident or trauma is likely to result in the dislocation of one or more spinal bones. A dislocated bone could end up injuring your spinal canal’s contents.
How will your doctor treat spinal stenosis?
Your treatment plan will extensively depend on your stenosis’s location and your symptom’s severity. Your treatment could include:
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Decompression procedure, especially if you have lumbar stenosis and a thickened ligament.
- Surgical procedures like laminectomy and laminotomy
- Alternative treatments like chiropractic treatment and acupuncture
Spinal stenosis could cause adverse effects if you fail to contact your doctor for professional help. Contact the spine experts today if you are interested in spinal stenosis treatment to ease your painful symptoms.
