Spinal Stenosis
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How Do I Know If I Have Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a back condition that specifically describes the narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition can occur for multiple reasons, likely due to a combination of other spinal conditions. Spinal stenosis is most common in the lower (lumbar region) part of the spine and upper (cervical region) part of the spine. Lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical spinal stenosis produce similar symptoms, but in different parts of the body.
Spinal stenosis is most common in older adults, due to the natural aging process, or patients who have experienced a back or neck injury. Pain is normally the first symptom, due to the additional pressure put on the spine. Patients will also have symptoms such as tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in either the arms and hands or legs and feet. This depends on the area of the spine where the stenosis is occurring.
Cervical spinal stenosis will cause these symptoms to occur in the arms and hands while lumbar spinal stenosis will cause similar symptoms in the legs and feet. It’s not uncommon for patients to experience sudden, sharp pain that radiates down the arms or legs. In more severe cases, bladder and bowel dysfunction is experienced.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
While spinal stenosis is mostly a result of aging or injury, there are other factors that can increase your predisposition to this condition. They include:
- Genetic tendencies
- Scoliosis — a condition where the spine curves, placing pressure on nerves and nerve roots
- Bulging and herniated discs — a condition where the discs in the spine swell or tear, compressing the nearby nerves
- Arthritis, which causes wear-and-tear of the protective cartilage that surrounds the joints
- Other conditions, such as spinal tumors
Are you suffering from any of these conditions or worried you may have spinal stenosis? Try our Condition Checker to determine the cause and help us diagnosis your condition.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Spinal Stenosis?
The narrowing that comes as a result of spinal stenosis is mostly within the spinal column, the canals at the extreme lower back or the space between vertebrae. These three areas have passages where nerves and nerve roots enter and exit the spine. Because of the numerous nerves and nerve roots in these areas, even slight narrowing can cause significant pressure and lead to pain.
Because spinal stenosis often develops in the cervical spine and lumbar spine, it’s important to be aware of the differences and the symptoms to look out for:
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis can be very similar to sciatica, causing tingling, numbness, discomfort, weakness and pain that radiates down the legs. Pain usually worsens when walking.
- Cervical Spinal Stenosis can be very similar to myelopathy and is directly linked to spinal cord compression which, in extreme cases, causes paralysis. Patients will typically experience tingling, numbness and pain that radiates to the shoulders and arms.
General Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
At its early stages, spinal stenosis has no symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, a patient may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain and discomfort in the neck and back area
- Pain that radiates to the arms and hands or to the legs and feet
- Numbness, cramping and weakness
- In extreme cases, loss of bladder and bowel control may occur
Most of the symptoms linked to spinal stenosis are closely similar to those of other spinal conditions. It can, therefore, be hard to distinguish one condition from the other.
For this reason, it is advisable that you visit a spine specialist to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Once spinal stenosis is isolated, our doctors will come up with the most effective treatment plan to restore your quality of life.
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What Are My Treatment Options For Spinal Stenosis?
Treatment options for spinal stenosis depend on what stage of the disease you have, and range from pain relief medications and exercise to minimally invasive surgery and invasive surgery in advanced stages. Like many conditions of the spine, the earlier you catch spinal stenosis, the less invasive the treatment options typically are.
Physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications are common first steps for short term pain relief. If these treatments are unsuccessful or help very little, a regimen of cortisone injections can be used for longer-term pain relief. This can also help identify the specific cause of the pain, if surgery is ever needed. Surgery options could include a laminectomy or a special procedure called a Laminoforaminotomy.
Our team at NJ Spine & Orthopedic believes that accurately diagnosing the condition and exploring all treatment options is the key to pain relief. Try our Candidacy Verification tool to find out what treatment option is right for you.
Do I qualify for Spinal Stenosis treatment options?
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