Spinal Stenosis:

Spinal stenosis is a condition where because of a congenitally narrow spinal canal or general arthritis (with or without concomitant disc bulging or herniation) with age narrows the central spinal canal through which the spinal cord passes. Because of this increasing tightness of the spinal canal, a time comes where the spinal cord or nerve roots start getting pinched as the person stands up and walks. This is because the diameter of the spinal canal becomes narrower when we stand or walk as the spine goes into relative extension with these postures. For lower back pain the classic history is increased pain with standing and walking which tends to improve initially with sitting and lying down or walking with a grocery cart in the supermarket but in severe cases the pain may even become constant. The pain can be in the lower back, or may radiate into the lower extremity/ies based on the location and severity of spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis in the neck can be a very significant thing and generally the symptoms may include pain in the neck with radiating pain into the arms with or without numbness, tingling, weakness or bowel or bladder loss of control. The last ones is being an emergency situation requiring immediate attention and treatment. Extension of the neck is to be avoided in cervical spinal stenosis as it can cause injury to the spinal cord.

Primary treatment includes traction (if appropriate), anti inflammatory medications, steroids, spinal injections and spinal surgery in selected patients. Outcome of treatment generally is quite successful in most patients.

Further information can be obtained from the links provided on the website.