Spinal Stenosis

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What is the Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition that is characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal at the location of the spinal cord.

What are possible causes of the Spinal Stenosis?

Several conditions contribute to spinal stenosis. The most common include an overgrowth of the facet joints, a bulging disc, arthritis, and a herniated disc. Direct causes include a vertebrae fracture.  A spinal tumor should be eliminated by an MRI or CT scan.

Symptoms by type

Cervical spinal stenosis

Patients with cervical spinal stenosis may notice numbness, tingling, or weak feeling. This may be caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal.

Thoracic spinal stenosis

Patients with complaining of mid-back pain may be suffering from thoracic spinal stenosis. They may also complain of numbness and tingling and pain around the chest or abdomen.

Lumbar spinal stenosis

The main complaint in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis is pain the lower back. This pain may radiate to the legs, thighs, or buttocks.

If you suffer from any of these symptoms and others, such as a weak feeling in the limbs, tight movements, altered sensations, and incontinence of the bowel or bladder, you should seek treatment immediately.

Treatments

Physical therapy, pain medicines and activity changes are used to treat spinal stenosis. Some patients receive steroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation.  In some cases, epidural steroid injections are needed. They can significantly reduce inflammation and pain. When other treatments fail, a patient may need surgery.