What is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis refers to the symptoms that arise from the narrowing of sections of the spine. In such cases, the spinal column gets narrower and begins to compress the spine. When these spaces within the spine get narrow, the nerves situated in the spine are affected. This condition commonly affects the neck and lower part of the back. Usually, a patient with spinal stenosis experiences acute pain in the legs or lower back. These factors make it crucial to consult the medical team at Spine Center of Texas for an accurate diagnosis as soon as you notice any of the symptoms below.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
While there are people who are born with a small spinal canal, others get spinal stenosis from the following.
- Overgrowth of bone. Osteoarthritis can lead to bone spurs being formed, more so from wear and tear. When these spurs grow into the spinal canal, there is pressure on the nerves.
- Tumors. Unusual growths can develop in the spinal cord or the space dividing the vertebrae and spinal cord.
- Spinal injury. Accidents can cause vertebral fractures or dislocation, and any displaced bone fragment can damage the spinal canal’s contents.
What are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis?
It is vital to keep in mind that some spinal stenosis patients might not experience any symptoms.
Besides that, the symptoms of this condition do not manifest all at once. Instead, they appear gradually with time as the compression of the nerves increases.
Note that people over the age of 50 are more susceptible to spinal stenosis in addition to patients with spine injuries and narrow spinal canals. Here are the symptoms.
Neck or back pain, especially the lower back
Your limbs might experience numbness, cramping, tingling, and general weakness
Pain in the legs and arms
Balance problems especially when walking
In severe cases, patients might exhibit bladder or bowel dysfunction (urine incontinence and involuntary bowel movements)
In some cases, if left untreated, spinal stenosis can lead to more permanent problems such as paralysis. It is in your best interest to visit the medical team at Spine Center of Texas for an accurate diagnosis.
