What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal Stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This narrowing can put pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves at the level of compression. The narrowing of one or more areas in your spine, most often occur in your neck or lower back. Depending on which nerves are affected, spinal stenosis can cause pain or numbness in your legs, back, neck, shoulders or arms; limb weakness and uncoordination; loss of sensation in your extremities; and problems with bladder or bowel function.

Symptoms

The most common parts of the spine affected by spinal stenosis are the neck and lower back. Symptoms vary, depending on the location of the stenosis. If the narrowed space within the spine is pushing on a nerve root, people may feel pain radiating down the leg sciatica). Symptoms include numbness, cramping, or pain in the back, buttocks, thighs, or calves (or problems in the lower back), or in the neck, shoulders, or arms (or problems in the neck) and weakness of a portion of a leg or arm.

Causes

The spinal stenosis may be inherited or acquired. Some people inherit a small spinal canal or have a curvature of the spine that produces pressure on nerves and soft tissue and compresses or stretches ligaments. The most common of these problems are related to degeneration and the aging process such as arthritis and Herniated disk. Spinal stenosis typically develops as a person ages and the disks become drier and start to shrink. As people age, the soft tissues and bones in the spine may harden and weaken. These degenerative changes may narrow the space around the spinal cord and result in spinal stenosis. Accidents may either dislocate the spine
and the spinal canal or cause burst fractures that produce fragments of bone that penetrate the canal.

Western Medicine Treatment


Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Analgesics to relieve pain.
Injections to reduce inflammation.
Anesthetic injections to temporarily relieve pain.
Restricted activity (varies depending on extent of nerve involvement).
Physical therapy to maintain motion of the spine, strengthen abdominal and back muscles, and build endurance.
Surgery



Adopted from Wei Laboratories, Inc.