Spinal stenosis is a common condition that can range in severity, affecting people around the world. It refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in pressure being applied to the spinal cord and the nerves that surround the muscles. The most common form of stenosis is lumbar stenosis (lower back)
In this article, we will provide an overview of lumbar stenosis and the common complications, as well as what can be done to treat it.
Spinal Stenosis and its Symptoms
The two main types of spinal stenosis are lumbar spinal stenosis (lower back) and cervical spinal stenosis (neck). Both types relate to the narrowing of the spinal canal that protects the spinal cord and nerves.
Spinal stenosis symptoms often get worse over the years, especially when the spine deteriorates as a person grows older. Conditions such as arthritis or a herniated disc can cause spinal stenosis, as can issues such as thick ligaments or bone spurs.
Possible Symptoms
Although both types of spinal stenosis can result in very similar symptoms, they can differ slightly.
Lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms include pain in the lower back, buttocks, and possibly legs, spreading down the thighs and calves. This can be a stabbing pain or an ache, however, it can differ between individuals. Some people also experience a tingling feeling in their legs and feet, somewhat similar to the sensation of pins and needles.
Numbness and a weak feeling in the legs. This can make it difficult to stand or walk for long periods of time. Pain or other sensations may subside when a person sits down or leans forward, easing pressure on the nerves.
Meanwhile, people suffering from cervical stenosis will likely experience neck pain which can spread to the shoulders and arms. Like lumbar stenosis, numbness and weakness can also be present, although this affects the arms and hands, possibly even the legs in some cases.
Cervical stenosis can often impact a person’s balance, causing a lack of coordination. In more severe cases, this can make a person liable to fall when walking or make walking upright, in straight lines difficult. A rarer symptom is a loss of bladder and bowel control.
What to do?
If you suffer from such symptoms and have not been diagnosed with a back condition then it is advised to arrange a consultation with your doctor to discuss the problem. Following a diagnosis, your doctor can then recommend treatments to help ease symptoms. This could include drugs and medications, a course of physical therapy, or alternative treatments like electrical nerve stimulation.
If the recommended treatments fail to reduce symptoms or they get worse, then surgery could be the next path.
What are the Complications of Spinal Stenosis?
Without treatment, spinal stenosis can lead to complications that can have a long-term, negative impact on a person’s life.
- Mobility and Functionality issues – Spinal stenosis, if the symptoms are left to progress can hamper a person’s mobility, making it difficult to walk, stand for long periods, and move their arms and legs freely. This can hinder a person when it comes to performing basic functions, possibly stopping them from participating in a number of activities.
- A lack of Balance/ Coordination – Affecting people with cervical stenosis rather than lumbar, balance and general coordination can become an issue. This could put a person at risk of falling when walking or climbing stairs.
- Persistent Sensations – As well as pain, people suffering from spinal stenosis may also be troubled with persistent tingling sensations or numbness in affected areas.
- Bowel and Bladder Problems – A rare symptom of spinal stenosis is a loss of bladder or bowel control, although it should be noted that this only occurs in very severe cases.
- Nerve damage – If left untreated for a long period of time then the compression caused by spinal stenosis could cause permanent nerve damage, resulting in long-term symptoms that would require surgery.
Spinal Stenosis Treatments
There are a range of treatments that may be recommended to anyone suffering from spinal stenosis. These can range from the traditional to more alternative, experimental treatments.
Below is a list of spinal stenosis treatments to consider:
- Physical Therapy (stretches and gentle exercise to improve flexibility in the spine).
- Medications (over-the-counter painkillers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nerve-specific painkillers, and muscle relaxants.
- Chiropractic care and massage therapy.
- Corticosteroids (pain-killing) injections.
- A back brace to support and stabilize the spine.
- Managing the body better to avoid heavy lifting, incorrect lifting, and prolonged standing, walking, or exercise.
- Walking canes to provide better balance.
- Yoga, Pilates, and general stretching.
- Meditation and biofeedback techniques.
- Herbal supplements (like turmeric or devil’s claw).
Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Common surgeries for spinal stenosis include laminectomies (decompression surgery, laminotomies, foraminotomies, and spinal fusion. However, there are also modern surgical treatments to consider such as mechanical spinal devices, artificial disc replacements, and surgeries that use an endoscopic camera.
A laminectomy removes part of the vertebrae (a section of the lamina) to create more space in the spinal canal, easing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. A laminotomy is a similar procedure but involves removing an even small portion of the lamina to cause less damage.
Meanwhile, a foraminotomy creates more space in the neural foramen, the channel where the nerves exit the spinal canal. This is achieved by removing any bone or tissue that may be causing unnatural compression.
For added stability, spinal fusion may also be performed, fusing two or more vertebrae together using a bone graft to provide long-term stability.
One of the newest treatments for spinal stenosis is a Premia Spine system which is a sophisticated mechanical spinal device that improves on spinal fusion surgery. This system helps a person retain full motion in their spine, offers a faster healing process, and does not cause damage to adjacent vertebrae.
Thank you for reading. We hope this article has helped to give you a better understanding of spinal stenosis, including possible treatments and surgical options to cure the symptoms.
