Spinal stenosis is a medical condition, most often in adults over 50 years old, where the back wall of the spinal canal begins to degenerate. This will result in severe pain and discomfort. Your upper spine consists of a network of ligaments and discs that cushion your vertebrae from the forces of gravity and compression.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis can occur as a result of a variety of causes. Among these causes are injuries to your disc that causes it to shift forward (herniated disc), spinal stenosis surgery, tumors, herniated spinal discs, and poor posture. When one of these causes occurs, the result is often a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. In addition to the above-mentioned causes, there are other less common causes such as degenerative bone diseases, tumors or infections, and spinal stenosis caused by age.
Spinal stenosis causes vary greatly depending on the severity of the condition. If you have spinal stenosis, you may experience extreme pain in your lower back and neck. The pain will be caused by pressure against the discs. In some cases, even the muscles and ligaments in your upper body could be affected as well. You may also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness at the point of contact.
Spinal stenosis causes will often involve several factors. For example, if the disc becomes narrowed and the bone around it becomes weak or degenerated, you may experience more problems with pain. If the bone has become dislocated and the nerves that control your leg are now located near the spinal bones, you may also experience numbness and weakness.
Spinal Stenosis Treatment
If you experience spinal stenosis symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor to discuss treatment options. Spinal stenosis surgery, also called laminectomy, can correct many problems associated with this condition. Laminectomy surgery can loosen and reposition the spinal discs that form stenosis around the spine. This allows for better blood flow, thus reducing the risk of infection.
Spinal stenosis options include physical therapy, chiropractic care, exercise and other forms of spinal stenosis treatment options. Exercise is often the first spinal stenosis treatment that most people think of. It can help improve your ability to cope with pain and strengthen your lower back muscles. Some people with spinal stenosis will use a spinal stenosis splint, either while sleeping or while standing.
Spine support devices can also be used to reduce pain. These devices, like a chair, are designed to keep your spine in place. This can provide a temporary relief from pain. They can also help prevent further damage to the discs and vertebrae that can happen from improper sitting and sleeping positions.
In some cases, spinal stenosis splints and chairs can be worn permanently to reduce pain and reduce the risk of more serious complications. Spine splints and other spinal support devices have been approved by the FDA as a safe treatment for spinal stenosis. They can provide pain relief for years.
Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Spinal stenosis surgery is the most common treatment used to treat stenosis. Most patients find that laminectomy is the best treatment option, but other procedures such as laminectomy and/or disk replacement are also used. If your condition is severe, additional surgery may be necessary.
Because spinal stenosis causes compression of the spinal cord, the affected spinal discs, and cervical discs can become more easily damaged and inflamed. This condition can lead to arthritis and other degenerative conditions.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatment can often reduce inflammation and help the healing of the discs and cervical discs. This can help decrease the risks of developing more serious health problems as a result of spinal stenosis. Chiropractic care, for example, can also help you manage pain and improve muscle strength.
In the majority of cases, spinal stenosis treatment options include conservative treatments and surgery. You will likely need to undergo tests and evaluations before deciding on the right treatment option for you.
If you think you have spinal stenosis, you should contact a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. To learn more about spinal stenosis treatments, call Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas today!
