Explanation of Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is caused when an area of the spine narrows. Narrowing can take place in the spine itself, the canals that branch off from the spine or in vertebras. When this happens, it leads to pinched nerves, which causes the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common reason people older than 60 years old in the U.S. have surgery.

Types

• The types of spinal stenosis are primary spinal stenosis, which is present at birth and is very rare, and acquired spinal stenosis, which happens as people age and the spine degenerates.

Cause

• Osteoarthritis is the most common cause because it causes degeneration of cartilage between bones. The body tries to repair the damage and forms bone spurs that narrows the spinal canal.

Other Causes

• Injury, ligament changes with age, herniated disks, tumors of the spine, Paget disease and achondroplasia, which is a genetic disorder present at birth that makes bones form slowly, are other causes of spinal stenosis.

Symptoms

• The symptoms include back pain, sciatica--or burning pain in the legs and buttocks--tingling or numbness in the legs and buttocks, weakness of the legs, and lessening of pain when leaning or sitting forward. Some people experience foot drop, or the sensation the foot slaps the ground when walking, if the condition is very severe.

Treatment

• Treatment for people with early spinal stenosis is rest, physical therapy, pain medication and supportive devices. If these measures offer no comfort, surgery is often needed.