Spine Stenosis: Straight Answers About Back Pain
For the millions of people age 50 and older, spine stenosis is a debilitating condition. Characterized by restricted mobility and consistent discomfort, this condition has a significantly adverse affect on one’s quality of life.The pain and discomfort connected to spine stenosis can, however, be minimized through focused treatment.
Spine stenosis is a narrowing of the space around spinal cord, which puts pressure on the spinal canal and nerve roots. Pain, numbness and cramps may appear in various parts of the body, including the neck, shoulders and arms, or the lower back, buttocks and legs.The condition can make even the simple act of walking, especially for long distances or periods of time, a difficult chore. Those suffering more severe cases may experience problems with urination or bowel movements, and might also experience problems maintaining their balance while walking.
Spine stenosis causes pain in those areas of the body to which the nerves of the spinal cord are directly connected.Spine stenosis is responsible for the shooting pain known as sciatica, which radiates down the buttocks and leg.
Spine stenosis is a condition that occurs naturally in people who are past age 50; in the US, it’s the most prevalent reason for surgery for people past age 60.However, people in their 30s can also suffer from a congenital form of the condition and even athletes can be afflicted with a form of spine stenosis known as a stinger , usually caused by a hard hit to the head or neck.
Temporary respite is available to sufferers of spine stenosis if they lean forward while standing or sitting. This adjustment eases some of the pressure on the spinal column.The space surrounding the nerves is increased when this adjustment is made.Once the patient stands or walks, however, the pain resumes quickly.
Once diagnosed with spine stenosis, a patient can have a variety of tests performed to learn the condition’s extent.In addition to examining your medical history, the doctor may examine your range of movement, the amount of pain generated by that movement and how the possible numbing and weakness has affected your reflexes. Other tests the doctor may want to perform are a CAT scan or an MRI.
This data will form the basis for the doctor’s recommendation of either surgical or non-surgical treatment. In addition, a major element affecting his decision will be the severity of the pain being experienced.When a non-surgical plan of treatment is recommended, the patient may undergo massage therapy as well as an exercise regime to stretch and strengthen the back muscles.Of course, because pain will still be present at the beginning of non-surgical treatment, anti-inflammatory medications may often be prescribed, and even acupuncture is utilized for pain amelioration.
In those extreme cases where surgical treatment is recommended, it will likely be either a laminectomy or spinal fusion.With spinal fusion, two or more vertebrae are fused together to prevent painful motion and increase stability. A different approach is to ease the pressure on the nerve roots by removing bone spurs and ligaments that are creating the pressure. This operation is called a laminectomy.
For millions of people, the onset of spine stenosis is a painful, life-changing event.Patients with spine stenosis who get proper treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical, can expect to keep the condition under control and lead a relatively normal and pain-free life.
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