Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal by a piece of bone or disc material.
This narrowing can put pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves. This can cause weakness or numbness in your arms or legs. Spinal stenosis can occur in a variety of ways in the spine. Most cases of spinal stenosis occur in the lower back (lumbar spine) and will affect the nerves that run along the back of the leg and cause pain or abnormal sensations.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis
Age related changes in the spine are the most common cause of spinal stenosis. Over time, ligaments (strong tissues that connect bones) get thicker. The disks between the vertebrae (bones of the spine) may begin to break down, putting pressure on other parts of the spine. The facet joints (small joints between each vertebra) become thicker and decrease the space around the nerves or spinal canal.

Spinal stenosis can also be found in younger people whose spinal canal was smaller than usual, or who had deformed vertebrae at birth. Spondylolisthesis (a slip of one vertebrae on another), tumors of the spine and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) can all also narrow the spinal canal and cause spinal stenosis.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis may result in low back pain or neck pain. The pain may also occur in the arms or legs. It can cause the weakness, numbness, decreased muscle size, loss of reflexes in the arms or legs. Some people will notice a heavy, tired feeling in the legs and symptoms can get severe enough to make standing and walking difficult. Many patients notice their pain improves with rest, sitting, or leaning forward on things such as a shopping cart.

Treatment of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis treatment includes weight loss, and lifestyle and activity changes. Epidural steroid injections may also help relieve the symptoms. Lumbar facet blocks and radiofrequency rhizotomy may help improve the back pain and some leg symptoms. If the symptoms are severe enough to cause a progressive neurological problem, a laminectomy or foraminotomy may be indicated to take pressure off the spinal nerve.

Adapted from Wikipedia

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