Only a doctor or spine specialist is qualified to make a spinal stenosis diagnosis. Self-diagnosis is out of the question when it comes to debilitating back or neck pain and other symptoms associated with nerve compression caused by spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of the space available for the spinal cord and nerve roots. However, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, a doctor will almost certainly rely heavily on information provided by the patient.

Making a Self-Assessment

Spinal stenosis does not always produce symptoms, because many of the conditions that contribute to a reduction of space available for the spinal cord and nerve roots are not innately symptomatic. Bone spurs, herniated discs, bulging discs, and spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage) in their early stages might not even be detectable without an X-ray or other medical imaging. However, these and other degenerative spine conditions can become progressively worse, which can cause inflammation, stiffness, and localized pain. Progressive worsening of these conditions also increases the likelihood that the spinal cord or nerve roots will become compressed or irritated. This can produce symptoms that are classified as radiculopathic – radiating pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness or loss of functionality in muscle groups innervated by the affected neural component.

In general, most people are able to tell when back or neck pain or other symptoms are caused by something more serious than the muscle strains or ligament sprains we all experience from time to time. If symptoms interfere with the ability to function or perform day-to-day activities, or cause sleeplessness for several weeks, it may be time to visit the doctor. Before the appointment, take a moment to catalog your experience to date. Try to assess everything about your condition, including a recollection of similar back or neck problems you or a family member may have experienced in the past. Then, write it all down.

Keep a Journal, Take it to the Doctor

What sort of information should you be prepared to provide for your doctor? In addition to your family history of back problems, keep a journal of your symptoms. When back or neck pain flares up, write down the time of day and note what you were doing when it happened. One question your doctor is sure to ask is when you began to experience symptoms, so try to pinpoint the date as accurately as possible. Your doctor will also want to know what kind of self-treatment you may have attempted, so write down the names and brands of over-the-counter pain medicine you’ve taken. Also, make note of any spine injuries you may have suffered while growing up. One of the primary risk factors for developing spinal stenosis later in life is injury incurred during the formative years, especially among those who participated in contact sports such as football and hockey.

Once you have provided as much information as possible to your doctor, he or she will proceed with the examination. In order to make a spinal stenosis diagnosis, your doctor will likely perform a physical examination that includes palpation of the spine to check for obvious anatomical abnormalities. You also can expect to undergo testing for reflexes, muscle strength, flexibility, and other neural responses. Finally, in order to confirm the existence of spinal stenosis, your doctor may order medical imaging such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spinal stenosis and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Spinal stenosis