Receiving a spinal stenosis diagnosis can be an anxiety-inducing event. Many patients have concerns about whether the condition, which involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, can be treated and whether their life will ever be free of pain and discomfort. Fortunately, these patients are usually able to quell their fears once they learn about spinal stenosis and the various ways the condition is treated.

An Overview of Spinal Anatomy

The body delivers sensory and motor signals from the brain to the rest of the body by way of the spinal cord. This crucial component of the human anatomy is housed within stacked bone segments called vertebrae. Each vertebra has a hollow core called the vertebral foramen (also known as the spinal canal) and it is through these openings that the spinal cord passes. Nerve roots branch from the spinal cord through small passageways between adjacent vertebrae called the intervertebral foramina. The nerve roots then separate into millions of tiny nerves that traverse the entire body. The posterior walls of the vertebral foramina are called the vertebral arches and they are each comprised of two plates of bone called the laminae. The anterior walls are formed by the posterior aspects of the vertebral body on top of which the intervertebral discs are positioned. These saucer-shaped pads are tasked with absorbing the impact that is placed on the spine when it facilitates movement or bears weight. The vertebrae are connected to one another by synovial joints called facet joints that enable the neck and back to bend, twist, and otherwise move.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

A spinal stenosis diagnosis is usually made because one of the spine’s anatomical components has become damaged and is encroaching upon the spinal canal. This damage is usually the result of the degenerative changes that naturally occur as an individual ages. Most of the spinal components have a propensity to break down over time, which can lead to the development of a number of degenerative spinal conditions. Facet disease, also known as spinal arthritis, is one such degenerative condition that affects the facet joints and can lead to the development of bone spurs. Degenerative disc disease affects the intervertebral discs and is used to describe the gradual dehydration, weakening, and hardening of the discs, which often leads to herniated and bulging discs.

Bone spurs, herniated discs, and bulging discs can all invade the vertebral foramen, causing what is referred to as spinal stenosis. Interestingly, these conditions may go unnoticed by many patients, as a narrowing of the spinal canal does not always cause compression of the spinal cord or a spinal nerve root. But when neural compression is involved, patients can experience a number of uncomfortable symptoms.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

Many patients receive a spinal stenosis diagnosis after reporting chronic back or neck pain to their physician. Some of these patients may also be experiencing other symptoms throughout their body that they assume are unrelated to their back or neck pain. However, the symptoms of spinal stenosis can travel along the length of the affected nerve, leading to pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the areas of the body that are controlled by that particular nerve. A pinched nerve in the cervical spine can cause symptoms to appear in the neck, upper back, shoulders, arms, and/or hands. Neural compression in the thoracic spine can cause discomfort in the middle back, ribs, torso, and/or inner organs. When the lumbar spine is affected, symptoms can be experienced in the lower back, hips, buttocks, legs, and/or feet.

Treating Spinal Stenosis

Once a physician has made a spinal stenosis diagnosis, he or she will usually develop a conservative, nonsurgical treatment plan for the patient to follow. This treatment regimen will be tailored to the individual’s specific needs while taking into consideration his or her current level of health, degree of discomfort, and other factors. Since the treatment of spinal stenosis is unique for each patient, it is crucial for those who suffer from the condition to consult their physician for a customized treatment plan.

Many of those with spinal stenosis will be advised to take medication to help manage their symptoms. Over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are able to provide sufficient relief for some patients. These drugs block the body’s production of the COX-1 and/or COX-2 enzymes to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. It should be noted that NSAIDs should not be utilized by those who have certain cardiovascular or gastrointestinal conditions. Instead, these patients may be advised to take over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen. If over-the-counter medications prove insufficient for relieving a patient’s pain, his or her physician may prescribe narcotic pain relievers or muscle relaxants.

For some patients, relieving their spinal stenosis symptoms is as easy as changing certain aspects of their lifestyle. This is especially true for those who are obese, since supporting extra body weight places increased strain on the spine. Losing weight can not only make it easier for the spine to do its job of supporting weight and facilitating movement, but it can also help to relieve some of the pressure that is being placed on a compressed nerve. Other lifestyle changes that can prove beneficial include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and becoming more physically active.

Physical therapy is also commonly recommended for those who have received a spinal stenosis diagnosis. This type of treatment may entail a number of different techniques, including:

-Strength training exercises

-Posture modification exercises

-Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

-Therapeutic ultrasound

-Cryotherapy

-Thermotherapy

-Massage therapy

-And others

Alternative Therapies for Spinal Stenosis

Some patients may choose to complement their doctor-recommended treatments with alternative therapies. This may include acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic manipulation, restorative yoga, and the use of herbal supplements, among others. The efficacy of some of these therapies is the subject of debate among members of the medical community, however, so patients should take this into consideration before beginning any alternative therapy.

Surgical Treatment

A spinal stenosis diagnosis seldom leads to surgical treatment. However, those whose symptoms do not abate after utilizing nonsurgical treatments for several weeks or months may be advised to consider undergoing an operation to decompress the affected spinal nerve. Some patients may be candidates for a minimally invasive procedure in lieu of a traditional open spine surgery. These procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under deep IV sedation and local anesthesia. A very small incision (usually about one inch long) is made in the patient’s neck or back and a series of increasingly larger tubes is funneled through the opening. This eliminates the need for muscle and ligament dissection, and significantly reduces the patient’s recovery time. An endoscope is used to access the patient’s spine and the surgeon then begins the process of gently removing the debris that has invaded the spinal column and led to neural compression. A few dissolving stitches or surgical staples are then used to close the incision. Some patients experience immediate relief and most will be able to return to daily activities within a matter of weeks.

Those who are interested in learning more about minimally invasive spine procedures for spinal stenosis should consult their physician or a spine specialist.

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.

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 other spinal conditions. http://laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spinal_stenosis/

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 Diagnosis