Do You Suffer From Spinal Stenosis Pain-Related Pressure?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas in your spine, which can pressure the spinal cord and/or nerves at the place of compression. About 75% of the time, spinal stenosis occurs in the lumbar spine (low back), but it can also affect the neck area. Symptoms vary, depending on the location of the stenosis.

It’s like my life is back after
10-15 years in bed.

– CARLA K

Causes & Risk Factors

Two risk factors for spinal stenosis are the aging process and genetic disorders. Causes of the condition include:

    • Arthritis: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – can cause your spine to degenerate and may cause the production of bone spurs that can narrow your spinal passages.
    • Paget’s disease: A condition that creates soft, weak bones that are prone to fractures.
    • Spinal trauma: Injuries sustained in car accidents or falls can cause dislocations or fractures of one or more vertebrae that can displace bone and damage your spinal canal.
    • Spinal tumors: Abnormal growths that can form inside the spinal cord, within the membranes that cover the spinal cord, or in the space in-between the spinal cord and vertebrae.

Symptoms

Most people first notice symptoms after age 50. Depending on which nerves are affected, spinal stenosis can have a variety of symptoms:

    • Leg pain or cramping: Compressed nerves in your lower (lumbar) spine can cause pain or cramping in your legs.
    • Loss of bowel or bladder control: In cases of severe spinal stenosis, nerves to your bladder or bowel may be affected.
    • Neck or shoulder pain: Compressed nerves in your neck can cause pain in your neck and/or shoulder – though spinal stenosis in your neck often causes no pain.
    • Numbness, weakness, tingling: In the upper spine can cause numbness, weakness, or tingling in a leg, foot, arm, or hand, which may, in turn, cause clumsiness or a lack of coordination.

Diagnosis

This condition is often difficult to diagnose because other conditions can cause symptoms. Quite often, people who develop stenosis have no history of back problems or a recent injury.

    • An MRI or CT scan is generally used to determine the cause of symptoms being experienced.
    • A myelogram, an x-ray taken after a dye is injected into the spine, can also be used to diagnose the condition.

Spinal Stenosis Pain Management & Treatment

Spinal stenosis pain management and treatment options depend on the severity of the symptoms. Self-management techniques include getting adequate rest, exercising to build strength and endurance, and avoiding activities that cause adverse symptoms. At PMIR Medical Center, we offer a variety of pain management and treatment options that include:

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