Spinal Stenosis
September 17th, 2008 | by admin |
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Cervical Stenosis Physical Therapy Treatment
By Milos Pesic
The vertebrae are a series of bones connected to each other forming the neck, also known as the cervical spine. The spinal canal, which encloses the spinal cord, runs through the vertebrae. The spinal cord contains major nerves that allow arm and leg movements, sensation, including bladder control and bowel movements.
Cervical stenosis is the condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal. It occurs with age as the intervertebral discs starts to lack water content and hardens. The discs can shrink in height and stick out into the spinal canal. Spinal joints also bulge and protrude into the spinal canal. When the spinal canal narrows, the resulting pressure on the spinal cord leads to another condition called cervical myelopathy, which affects nerve functions.
Cervical stenosis usually does not have symptoms. If it has advanced to cervical myelopathy, the patient may experience neck and arm pain, weakness, and difficulty in moving the arms and legs. Incontinence also occurs in later stages of the disease. Symptoms may appear gradually or develop rapidly.
Early detection plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of cervical stenosis and cervical myelopathy. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and diagnostic tests and recommend an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging ) and CT (Computed Tomography) scan to be able to see the level of narrowing of the spinal canal. You may have to undergo other tests for a complete diagnosis.
What are the treatments for Cervical Stenosis?
Depending on the stage of cervical stenosis, treatments may be operative or non-operative. Usually, patients who have severe fragility and pain in the affected areas and difficulty in walking require surgery. Non-operative or conservative treatment, which includes cervical stenosis physical therapy, is ideal for mild cases.
Patients should understand that cervical stenosis physical therapy would not reduce the narrowing of the spinal canal or bring it back to normal size. The goal of cervical stenosis physical therapy is long-term pain management and increased function that will enable the patient to control pain effectively and function normally without having to undergo surgery.
Cervical stenosis physical therapy starts with improving flexibility in the neck, arms and legs through stretching exercises. It is also important to increase circulation and develop endurance in the arms and legs with cardiovascular exercises such as swimming and treadmill exercises. Your therapist may also add strengthening exercises in your program. While most of these exercises are always under professional supervision, your therapist will also provide you with exercises that you can perform independently.
Supervised cervical stenosis physical therapy may take three or more months. If your condition does not improve after cervical stenosis physical therapy, your physician will then recommend surgery.
Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Physical Therapy information site. For more articles and resources on Physical Therapy related topics, Physical Therapy exercises and much more visit his site at:
=>http://physical-therapy.need-to-know.net/
Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com
This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.
24 Responses to “Spinal Stenosis”
By William D Gibson on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
I had surgery for spinal stenious but I’m still having moderate to severve leg pain mostly in the calfs. Feels like I just ran a long run without streatching properly. They are real tight and ache almost all the time? What can I do?
By Norman Millen on Oct 14, 2008 | Reply
Fop about 5 or 6 years now I have been suffering with chronic pain in my lower back and down my left buttock down my leg and my foot is numb most of the time, Now my left arm and shoulder are giving me the same pain.I have trouble sleeping because of the pain even though I take percacet on a regular basis, The doctors tell me it is a mild case of sterosis.
The first Doctor told me I required surgery and after waiting 24 months I was sent to a sports clinic which ended up irritating it more than ever, Now I am going through the same process all over again. PLEASE is there anything that can be done to alleviate this pain. Norm Millen
By Marie Morris on Oct 14, 2008 | Reply
Norm, Sorry you’re in so much pain. Believe me, I know your pain. The chronic pain in your lower back and down your left buttock is referred to as sciatica. It can be excrutiating and it was for me until I went to Orthopaedics and they recommended I have an injection in my spine. This helped me alot and I haven’t experienced the pain anymore. Also, you may try physical therapy for your arm and shoulder and if that doesn’t help, ask the pt what they would recommend. Good Luck!
By jon trujillo on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
For 5 years now i have been having sharp jabbing pain between my shoulder blades.Its also very hard to hold my arms up for short periods especially when lifting objects.Frequently,Ive been experiencing a cold,tingling,and numbing sensation in that area also.Ive also been noticing sharp pain in my fingers and wrists and I feel that this may be all tied together.I cant even sleep with my arms over my head and my wife tells me that I moan in my sleep.Percocet and soma help but is there any other types of non narcotic meds that well work just as well?Can you give me an idea of what I may be suffering from?
By lonnie williams on Oct 16, 2008 | Reply
im 33 soon i’ll be 34 next month. the orthropedic gave me seven shots in my lower back,nothing worked, then he sent me to a chiropractor and he ordered for a spinal traction now do he think i have spinal stenosis,plus he said that it looks gentic. i did’nt know what he was talking about until i got on the computer. every body was thinking i was lying,im taking all kinds of pills and i was just going along with the doctor,what can i do…..
By lonnie williams on Oct 16, 2008 | Reply
lonnie.williams86@yahoo.com with spinal stenosis will i ever work again or do i have to get s.s.d.i i need help what do i do i have to go in for spinal traction what can i exspect is it gonna work will it last im 33 yall and this feels like its the end of every thing for me all this on my mind is deppressing at first it was just fustration,people did’nt know what was wrong with me, until the other doctor said he did’nt understand why no one eles saw what he saw
By Sue Kreim on Oct 16, 2008 | Reply
Have been reading and love the these are recent letters! I feel for Lonnie. I’ve suffered back & neck problems since I was 17. I am now 53, unable to work, in excrutiating pain, waiting on S.S.D.I. For all the years no one knew what was wrong, I kept working, was denied disability twice, and now got an attorney to fight for me. To live with this much pain is horrible. I hope someone can help Lonnie now and get him back to work soon. I don’t ever have a day without pain. The neurologis is reluctant to do surgery since I’ve had the stenosis so long as well as fibromyalgia, arthritis, & others. But I’ll do whatever it takes. Good luck, Lonnie! I can’t understand either why Drs.don’t see this. You can see it in my walk, stand & gait!!
By Sonja on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
I am 57yrs old and I was having major problems walking about 14yrs ago and then it landed me in a wheelchair. I had surgery done on my back with fusio/de-fusion, bone chips taken from my right hip to put in my spine. I have also had severe pain from time to time until about 4yrs ago and it NEVER stops. I just came from the doctor and I have been told that I have Spinal Cord Stenosis with Arhtritis. I am taking major pain medication that consists of Percocet which is Oxicoddone taken about tree times a day depending on the pain, I also take Oxicottin every 12 hours, and Zanaflex taken at night time because it is so strong that it will totally knock me out. The pain is still there and I am waiting to see what else they can do to make the pain go away, it may result in surgery again.
I really hope that no one has to have things this bad with medication for any of you.
Good luck and take care.
Sonja
By Ashley on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
I am 25 yrs old and i had a baby 18 months ago, and every since the epideral i have had discomfort in my back, such as burning of the spine and most of the time i cant stand to touch my spinal area. it hurts . it just always so tender.
By george mccleary on Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
can spinal stenosis become a permanent thing
By Deb on Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
I am 53 and just spent 10 years of agony similar to Sonja. I was in bed for a year before getting my L5-S1 fusion and L4-5 flex fusion in March of this year. The doctor used a piece of the vertebrae for the fusion because of the issues with pain etc from using the illiac crest fusion. I was fianlly pain free for a few months, then Labor Day mornng I rolled over and stretched and felt and heard a “pop”. Now the surgeon thinks I tore a disc, so i have another painful discogram coming up to pin point the disc so he can do another surgery. I was hoping not to go through this again for at least another 6 years or so (because of the spinal stonosis and disc degeneration), but backs are funny things i have learned. And yes George, spinal stenosis is permanent. There are procedures to relieve it, but from what I have studied it is a permanent disorder.
I know what it is like “not want to be here” anymore. When you have pain like that, and absolutely no quality of lifeit is tough to want to wake up and face another day. It is SO very important to have supportive family and friends plus a doctor/surgeon you trust. If any of you want or need to talk to someone who has “been there” I would be willing to listen.
I hope things get better soon for all of you.
Deb
By Derrick on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
I am a 39 yr old Soldier who was blown out of my humvee gun turrent about 40 meters in Iraq by a roadside bomb,landing on upper left side of my torso..i have had 8 surgeries so far in both shoulders, left elbow ,wrist and had fusion on left foot anyway have been diagnosed with disc degeneration in c3,4 c4-5 c5-6 c6-7 also in T1-2 t2-L1 and L2-3 L3-4 L4-5 L-5 to S1 these all are bulging,some protruding moderate stenosis and contact with nerve root.So needless to say i have gone through PT epideral injections w/ trigger point injections relief has always been short lived and because im a soldier my care was managed by military and still is now im allowed to see civilian Health care the only relief ive got is with percocet and 1000mg racoflex muscle relaxer and lidoderm patches,lyrica.I guess my question is is there hope or suggestions out there
By Lisa K. on Oct 30, 2008 | Reply
My exhusband has been diagnose with the spinal stenosis. He has surgrey for is lower back and is now looking at another surgery to relieve some more pain. His comment is that if he doesnt have this surgery he will be wheel chair bound in 5 years. Is this really what lies in store for him if left untreated? Is there more surgery in his future, more pain? Will he evenutally end up in a wheel chair anyway? I cant seem to find anyone that has that kind of information. He is relatively young (48) and I feel bad for him. Any help for some understanding would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Lisa K
By Kelly Scaduto on Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
Derrick
My boyfriend is going through a similar situation, his neck was broken in a training exercise in Korea getting ready to enter into Iraq and he has now undergone 3 surgeries, 2 while in the care of the military and finally what appears to be a successful surgery that was done by a civilian orthopedic surgeon. He still has some tingling, spasms and shooting pain, but it has gotten better. We are hoping that it will not go to the extent of going back on percocets so that he can live some sort of normal life, I wish the same for you. Now that you are able to be seen by civilian doctors I am hoping your quality of life will also improve.
By Sol Gordon on Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
I WOULD LIKE SOME COMMENT HOW TO TREAT SPINAL Stenosis
By Sol Gordon on Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
What type of physiotherapy is given for Spinal Stenosis?
By Sol Gordon on Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
what type of physiotheropy is gien for spinal stenosis?
By Sol Gordon on Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
How is stenosis treated?
By Victoria on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Hi everyone, my brother Michael works for the Air-Force, and has passed out, pain, numbness,
and just had surgery for spinal stenosis to his neck. His case is very severe to his whole entire spine! The doctor was surprised he was not tripping, shuffleing, and falling down. He is only 35! He may be looking at more surgery in the near future, because he will end up in a wheel-chair. He also has disk
problems, and arthritis to. I feel so bad for him!!! The surgery went very well, but it may, and may not work for very long, because of the spinal stenosis. I also have the same problem, but my spinal stenosis is light to medium at times. My legs go numb sitting, and
when my dog lays on my legs they go numb. Not fun! My heart goes out to all of you, because I know the pain you are dealing with. Good-luck with all of your options, I just wish there was something better for spinal stenosis.
By Mary on Dec 3, 2008 | Reply
There is always hope. Try dhanda yoga. The focus is on making the spine limber and stretching. I have cervicle stenosis and I do yoga everyday it really eleviates the pain. Also there is a lot of new outpatient surgery, you will be better in time.
God Bless and thank you for your service to our country!
By brenda talbot on Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
Can anyone tell me if they quilified for s.s.d.[social secuity disability]caused from spinal stenoss???
By Lou on Dec 14, 2008 | Reply
I have had a spinal fusion 4 years ago, but still have back pain. Unable to stand or do anything much. I had an epidural Monday thinking it would help. On Friday my low back and thru the front got real sore and kept progressing until I can’t hardly move. It is the week-end so can’t call the doctor. Has anyone had an epidural that made you much worse. The pain is low back , possibly l-5 and S-l, going through the front and down my legs and in both hips.
By michelle on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
hey i am 14 and i have this deise or how ever you spell it.
i have to get surgery on it coiming this summer or april.
i have so many questions and i am super scared
i have a 51 curve.
By carol on Jan 5, 2009 | Reply
I would like the answers to all the questions you have listed. Thank you.