The Stages Of Spinal Stenosis In The Back

By Patrick Foote

Spinal stenosis in the back or neck involves a narrowing of the tiny spaces within the spinal column, a condition which may or may not cause compression of surrounding spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis can be caused by injury, a tumor, or a congenital defect, but the most common cause is the natural process of degeneration that comes with age. As the elements of the spinal anatomy break down, they can shift, rupture, ossify, or bulge, any of which can intrude on the narrow spaces (foramina) of the spinal column, which forms the protective armor around the spinal cord and its nerve roots. Many people may have spinal stenosis in their back or neck without even knowing it because the narrowed canal is usually not, in and of itself, painful. However, if bone, disc material, or connective tissue comes into contact with a nearby spinal nerve root, symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness may be produced in the back, neck, and or extremities.

When Acute Symptoms Become Chronic

As with any health condition, spinal stenosis in the back or neck will affect each patient differently and can range from mild to severe:

— Asymptomatic spinal stenosis – This is the mildest form of stenosis because no neural compression is involved. It is possible, however, that the anatomical abnormality that is causing the stenosis is also giving rise to mild symptoms. For instance, a herniated disc may cause localized pain because the layers of the outer disc wall contain some nerve fibers that may become inflamed when exposed to the jelly-like core material seeping out of the torn disc.

— Acute spinal stenosis – If a spinal nerve does become compressed, the individual may feel pain that remains localized at the site of compression, though it is more common to experience radiating pain that travels along the entire path of the affected nerve. Symptoms that appear in a region of the body far from the site of nerve compression in the spine are called ‘referred’ symptoms, and can make stenosis fairly difficult to diagnose without the help of thorough examination. Radiating pain may feel warm or electric in nature. Acute pain generally occurs intermittently and can be managed with conservative treatment techniques such as medication and physical therapy.

— Chronic spinal stenosis – Chronic stenosis is continual pain that has lasted longer than three months. By the time your discomfort becomes chronic, your symptoms will likely have evolved to include pain, weakness, tingling, loss of feeling, or, in the worst-case scenario, muscular paralysis. A compressed spinal nerve that remains untreated for long enough can actually develop permanent damage, which may result in regions of numbness and weakness in the back, neck, and/or extremities.

When Is It Time to Consider Stenosis Surgery?

While there are a variety of surgical treatments available for spinal stenosis, this course of action should generally only be considered as a last resort after all other conservative, non-surgical treatment options have been tried. If you have tried a comprehensive regimen of treatment for three months or longer and have seen little to no improvement in your symptoms, your physician may suggest that you consider spine surgery. The decision to undergo this elective surgery is completely up to you and you should never feel pressured or rushed into any procedure unless you’ve been told that your condition is a medical emergency.

If you are considering elective surgery for your stenosis-related back or neck pain, don’t be afraid to get second, third, or even fourth opinions from spinal stenosis specialists. Ask each one which type of stenosis surgery he or she would recommend, why they are recommending it, and if there are any additional non-invasive treatments that they would suggest first. Conduct your own research into the different types of surgical procedures that are available so that you will be able to have informed discussions with each doctor about the risks, benefits, and projected recovery periods of each type of procedure.

About the Author: 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.

Source:

isnare.com

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