Commonly Asked Questions about Spinal Stenosis and Their Answers

Commonly Asked Questions about Spinal Stenosis and Their Answers

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine. The article discusses some of the commonly asked questions and answers about this condition.

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Spinal stenosis is a painful, potentially debilitating condition that affects most people. About 75 percent cases of this spinal disorder occur in the lower back area (lumbar spine). It can also rise in the neck (cervical spine) and less frequently in the upper back (thoracic spine) area. The signs and symptoms associated with this condition, in most cases begin slowly and become so severe that even walking small distances is unbearable. Multispecialty healthcare centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective, non-surgical spinal stenosis pain management procedures. Here are some of the commonly asked questions and answers about this nerve disorder.

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis (also called spinal narrowing) is a condition that causes narrowing of space in or near the spinal column, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and/or adjacent nerve roots.

What causes spinal narrowing?

Spinal narrowing is caused due to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which prompts the spinal cord to become constricted because of the increasing pressure applied by the joints surrounding it. The condition can result from degeneration of bones through aging, arthritis, bone overgrowth and spinal injury.

Who gets spinal stenosis?

People above 50 years of age are at more risk of developing this spinal disorder. However, it can also occur in younger people who are born with a narrowing of the spinal canal or who suffer an injury to the spine.

Is this spinal condition hereditary?

People with a family history of spinal stenosis have a higher risk of developing this condition due to its genetic trait. However, having a relative with this condition does not mean that there is 100 percent chance that you will develop this condition.

What are the common symptoms?

Symptoms may vary depending on the location of the stenosis and which specific nerves are affected.

Some of the most common symptoms include – back or neck pain, problems with walking and balance, numbness or tingling sensation in a hand/arm/foot/leg, pain or cramping in one or both legs (when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk) and bowel or bladder dysfunction (urinary urgency and incontinence).

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How is this spinal disorder diagnosed?

Generally, it is very difficult to diagnose spinal stenosis as its signs and symptoms resemble those of many age-related conditions. As part of the initial diagnosis, your pain management doctor may ask you questions about the signs and symptoms and discuss your medical history. They may conduct a detailed physical examination of the patient to check pain symptoms, normal neurologic function and the extent of limitation of movement. To determine the root cause of this problem, physicians may conduct different types of imaging tests such as X-rays, open MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging) and CT myelogram. The type of treatment may particularly depend on the location of the stenosis and the severity of your signs and symptoms.

What types of non-surgical treatments are available?

This spinal condition can be well managed using different non-surgical methods and the best place to get such treatments is a reliable healthcare center. At a good multi-specialty healthcare center in Brooklyn, NYC, a team of qualified and experienced professionals will combine different treatment methods to help better manage pain. Let's review some of the non-surgical therapies available.

✓ Physical Therapy – This treatment involves therapeutic programs that help patients to improve strength and maintain the flexibility and stability of the spine. Therapeutic exercise programs include gentle strengthening, stretching, aerobic and isometric exercises that help to improve normal function and movement, and increase flexibility.

✓ Transcutaneous

electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – TENS uses low-voltage electric

stimulation that interacts with the sensory nervous system to manage chronic pain.

✓ Prolotherapy – Also known as regenerative injection therapy, this modality is used to treat connective tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system that have not healed by either rest or other non-surgical therapies. It helps in healing, alleviates pain thereby improving the total function.

✓ Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – RFA uses electrical current produced by a radio wave to heat up a small area of nerve tissue, thereby reducing pain signals from that particular area.

✓ Non-steroidal

anti-inflammatory medications – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

(NSAIDs) are used to treat inflammation and prevent further damage.

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Is there anything we can do to prevent spinal stenosis?

As spinal stenosis develops over years, it is important to maintain good lifelong care for your back and understand what you can do to reduce the risk of spinal degeneration. Regardless of the cause for spinal stenosis, it is important for patients to stay as active as possible to maintain the best function.

Doing regular exercise and staying physically fit can strengthen your back muscles and contribute to a healthier spine. A healthy body weight helps to prevent this condition as it reduces the amount of stress placed on the spine.

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