Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition where the gap between the spinal cord and the nerve root shrinks. This space is known as the vertebral canal or spinal cavity. The spine divides into four regions: the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine, and the sacrum and coccyx. This shrinking most commonly happens in the low back region in sections. This region of the spine is known as the lumbar spine. Another common region where stenosis appears is the cervical spine. However, it could affect other regions.

Causes

Spinal stenosis commonly appears due to the following reasons:

• Disproportionate bone growth: Consists of the facet joint growth or the formation of osteophytes.
• Herniated disc: the cushions between the vertebrae wear down with age. When there is a tear on the exterior of the discs, part of the disc nucleus can infiltrate and cause pressure on the spinal cord or on the nerves. 
• Ligamentum Flavum hypertrophy: with constant pressure applied to the spine, the Ligamentum Flavum thickens, hence, increasing the risks of squeezing the spinal nerves or the spinal cord.
• Spondylolisthesis: Here, one vertebra slips forwards on another. This placement generates improper spinal column alignment. In the same way, this can tense the spinal cord and nerve roots.
• Injuries in the spine: The impact of accidents can fracture the vertebrae, and the displaced bones can damage the spinal cord.

Symptoms

A person with a gap between the spinal cord and the nerve root is closer than usual should not suffer any symptoms. However, when this gap keeps shrinking, it causes compression of the internal structure. Here is when symptoms begin to appear.

The most common symptoms include:

• Difficulty walking: It can be due to a discomfort in the legs while walking. It makes it difficult for the patient to walk. They need to sit down for a while before continuing to walk. It can also happen due to the weakening of the legs.
• Tingling and stiffness in the legs.
• Lack of balance.
• Spasms.
• Soreness in the arms and hands and sometimes in the legs.
• Lumbar or cervical pain is caused by muscular contractures.

Treatment

During the initial phase of treatment, a pharmacological route is effective for alleviating the symptoms temporarily. However, they will not heal the stenosis. More advanced cases will require surgery. The surgery adapts to the specific problem the patient has. The different kinds of surgery include laminoplasty, laminotomy, laminectomy, etc.

 The objective of these surgeries is the same; liberating the compressed nerve structures. Here, it is also crucial to avoid causing any disbalance in the spine. For this reason, the surgery must be done in the less aggressive way possible. 

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119