Spinal Stenosis
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal Stenosis is a condition that is caused by a narrowing of the space surrounding the spinal cord or the spinal nerves.
Who Gets Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal Stenosis affects men and women equally, and most often is seen in people over the age of 50. People who have careers that are labor intensive are more prone to developing symptoms of Spinal Stenosis. The most common cause of Spinal Stenosis is arthritis of the spine, and it is uncommon to find this condition in individuals younger than 30 years old. When Spinal Stenosis does occur in younger patients, it is often related to traumatic injury to the spinal column.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal Stenosis may be caused by a wide variety of conditions, all of which lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal. These conditions may be either acquired or inherited.
Spinal Stenosis is most often caused from spine arthritis, a process that causes arthritic changes in the spine leading to nerve compression. Common changes of spinal arthritis include the formation of bone spurs, calcification of spinal ligaments, thickening of joint tissue due to chronic inflammation, and degeneration of the spinal disc. All of these changes narrow the space around the nerves, eventually leading to nerve compression.
Other acquired conditions that may lead to Spinal Stenosis include rheumatoid arthritis, spinal tumors, Paget’s disease, and traumatic damage to the vertebral column. Inherited conditions that lead to Spinal Stenosis include congenital Spinal Stenosis, scoliosis, and achondroplasia.
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis can cause a wide variety of symptoms throughout the body. The most common symptoms are:
- Pain,
- Numbness,
- Tingling, and
- Weakness.
If the area of narrowing of the spine is in the cervical (neck) region, the symptoms are felt in the arms, and if the area of narrowing is in the lumbar (low back) the symptoms are felt in the legs.
Making the diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis involves a complete evaluation of the spine. The process always begins with a medical history and physical examination. Imaging studies (x-ray, MRI, etc.) are often used to determine the extent and location of the nerve compression.
Medical History and Physical Examination
The medical history is the most important aspect of the examination as it will tell your doctor about your symptoms, possible causes for your Spinal Stenosis, and other possible causes of back pain.
The physical examination in a patient with Spinal Stenosis will give your doctor information about exactly where the nerve compression exists. Some important factors that should be investigated are any areas of sensory abnormalities or numbness, the nature of your reflexes, and any muscular weakness.
