Back Pain: What is Spinal Stenosis?
Written by Blueheronclinic.com
About Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is back pain resulting from a narrowing of the spaces in the spine (backbone) which results in pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. This disorder usually involves the narrowing of one or more of three areas of the spine:
- the spinal canal in the middle of the column of bones (vertebral or spinal column) through which the spinal cord and nerve roots flow,
- the canals at the base or roots of nerves branching out from the spinal cord
- the spaces between the vertebrae through which nerves exit the spine and go to other parts of the body.
This narrowing of the canal may involve small or large areas of the spine. Pressure on the lower area of the spinal cord or on nerve roots branching out from the affected area may cause pain or numbness in the legs. Pressure on the upper part of the spinal cord may produce similar symptoms in the shoulders, or perhaps the legs.
Who is affected by spinal stenosis
This issue is most common in men and women over the age of 50. However, it often occurs in younger people who are born with a narrowing of the spinal canal or who suffer a traumatic injury to the spine.
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis?
The space within the spinal canal may narrow without producing any noticeable symptoms. However, if this narrowing increases pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, there may be a steady onset and progression of negative symptoms. Often, people may experience weakness, numbness, cramping, or general pain in the legs and arms. If the affected narrowed area within the spine is putting prerssure on a nerve root, pain may be felt radiating down the leg (sciatica). Sitting or flexing the lower back should relieve symptomsas thehe flexed position "opens up" the spinal column, enlarging the spaces between vertebrae at the back of the spine. Flexing exercises are often advised by medical professionals, including stretching and strengthening exercises.
People with more severe stenosis may have problems with bowel function and bladder and foot disorders. For example, cauda equina syndrome is a severe and very rare form of spinal stenosis. This occurs due to compression of the cauda equina, and symptoms may include loss of bowel, bladder or sexual function and / or pain, weakness or numbness in one or both legs. The cauda equina syndrome is a serious condition requiring urgent medical attention.
How Is Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?
Your medical doctor may use a mixture of approaches to diagnose spinal stenosis and rule out other conditions.
Medical history:
the patient tells the doctor details about symptoms and any injury, illness or general health problem that could be causing the symptoms.
Physical examination, the doctor examines the patient to determine the extent of the limitation of motion,
Controls for the pain or symptoms when the patient hyperextension of the spine (bends backwards), and
The controls of normal neurological function (eg, sensitivity, muscle strength and reflexes) in the arms and legs.
MRI (magnetic resonance)
Uses the energy of a powerful magnet (rather than X rays) produces signals that are detected by a scanner and analyzed by computer. This produces a series of cross-sectional images (slices) and / or a three dimensional view of the back pieces. An MRI is particularly sensitive for detecting damage or disease of soft tissues such as the disks between vertebrae or ligaments. It shows the spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding spaces, and degeneration of enlargement, or tumors.
Computed tomography (CT)
X-rays pass through the back at different angles, detected by a scanner, and analyzed by a computer. This produces a series of cross-sectional images and / or points of view in three dimensions of the pieces back. The analysis shows the shape and size of the spinal canal, its contents and surrounding structures.
Myelogram
a liquid dye that x-rays can not penetrate is injected into the spine. The dye travels through the nerves and spinal cord, which appear as white objects against bone on an x-ray film A myelogram can show pressure on the spinal cord or nerves from herniated discs, bone spurs, or tumors.
Bone scan
an injected radioactive material attaches to the bone, especially in areas where bone is actively breaking down or they were formed. The test can detect fractures, tumors, infections and arthritis, but can not tell the other disorder. Therefore, a bone scan is usually performed along with other tests.
Who Treats Spinal Stenosis?
Nonsurgical treatment of spinal stenosis may be provided by internists or general practitioners. This disorder can also be treated by specialists such as rheumatologists, who treat arthritis-related disorders, and neurologists who treat the nerve related issues. Orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons also provide nonsurgical treatment and perform spinal surgery if necessary. health-related professionals such as physiotherapists can also help with treatment.
Alternative Medicine for Spinal Stenosis
Alternative (holistic or complementary) therapies are diverse health care systems and health practices that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine. Some examples of these therapies used to treat spinal stenosis as follows:
Chiropractic Therapy
treatment is based on the idea that restricted movement in the spine reduces proper function and may result in pain. Qualified chiropractors may adjust the spine to restore and improve on normal spinal motion. Traction, a pulling force to help increase the space between the vertebrae and reduce pressure on affected nerves may also be used. Results show promising benefits from chiropractic care and recent research has shown that chiropractic treatment is nearly as effective as conventional non-surgical treatments for acute back pain.
Chinese Acupuncture
This holistic treatment involves stimulating acu points on the body by inserting thin, solid, metallic needles that penetrate the skin. Research has shown that low back pain is one area in which acupuncture has benefited many people over the years.
Should Surgery Be Considered for spinal stenosis?
In general, the conditions causing spinal stenosis can not be altered by nonsurgical treatment, although these measures may relieve pain for some time. However, surgery may be considered if a person has numbness or weakness that interferes with walking, impaired bowel or bladder function, or other neurological issues.
The goal of surgery is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves and restore and maintain alignment of the spine. This can only be done by removing, cleaning, and adjusting diseased parts that are causing the pressure or loss of alignment to the spine. The most common type of surgery is called decompressive laminectomy: removal of the lamina of one or more spinal vertebrae to create more space for the nerves. A surgeon might perform a laminectomy with or without fusing vertebrae or removing part of a disk. Many devices can be used to increase fusion and strengthen unstable areas of the spine after surgery.
The Blue Heron Clinic in Galway, Ireland uses holistic mediicne and Acupuncture in the treatment of back pain issues such as Spinal Stenosis.
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