What Is Spinal Stenosis

May 14th, 2009 | by admin |

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What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is narrowing of an opening that the spinal cord or a spinal nerve passes through.

The spinal cord extends from the brain to the lower back and carries messages between the body and the brain in a top-down manner. It is encased in the spinal canal, an opening in the vertebral column that is protected by the bony parts of the vertebrae. The spinal canal is occupied by the spinal cord and the posterior longitudinal ligament, which sits between the cord and the back of the vertebra. Some people have congenitally narrow spinal canals and some people develop spinal stenosis later in life, usually due to ossification of the ligament.




The spinal nerves branch off of the spinal cord and pass through the neural foramen between the vertebrae. There’s a pair of spinal nerves between each pair of vertebrae, and they innervate the body parallel to the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis occurs when the neural foramen is narrowed or when vertebral structures encroach on the intervertebral space.

Causes
A lot of things can cause spinal stenosis. Some of them are:
· Congenital spinal stenosis—you are born with it
· Scoliosis or other progressive inherited conditions that narrow the spinal openings
· Injury that results in a slipped disc, vertebral fractures or other trauma to the vertebral column
· Medical conditions, such as Paget’s disease, where abnormal bone metabolism causes deformity of the vertebrae
· Toxins, particularly excessive exposure to fluoride in insecticides, which causes abnormal bone growth
· Degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, that are part of the aging process

Symptoms
Symptoms of spinal stenosis are due to nerve compression, and depend on where the compression is located.

Cervical spinal stenosis affects the nerves to the neck and arms, so the symptoms are pain and other sensory abnormalities in the neck, shoulders and arms, weakness of the shoulders or arms and difficulty grasping things. Symptoms are usually on one side or the other. If the spinal cord is involved, you can also have gait problems and loss of coordination.

Lumbar spinal stenosis involves the nerves in the lower back. Leg pain or numbness are the most common symptoms; weakness in one or both legs also occurs. With lumbar stenosis, symptoms are more likely to be on one side or the other.

Treatment
Spinal stenosis is usually treated with anti-inflammatories and pain medication as long as possible. If the pain is intractable or if there are functional problems, like weakness, the narrowed openings are opened up surgically. Sometimes the surgery can be done through an endoscope instead of with traditional surgical methods.

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About the Author: David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery http://www.laserspineinstitute.com and
Houston Web Site Design http://www.novatexsolutions.com

More articles by egalthan

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Spinal Stenosis Resources

Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis: Lumbar and Cervical

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  1. 22 Responses to “What Is Spinal Stenosis”

  2. By Gloria Bailey on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply

    I will be having surgery Laminectomy fusion w instrrumentation for lumbar stenosis/scoliosis. 2-3-4-5 lumbar
    Can someone walk me though recovery and details after surgery
    pain, meds hospital stay

  3. By Claude Lane on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply

    Please also let me know…My wife is looking at haveing about the same surgery. Thanks

  4. By anne sisney on Jun 14, 2009 | Reply

    I am having cervical (C3-C4) disc replacement surgery next month. I am concerned about my recovery. What can I expect? How long is the recovery? I teach 1st grade, and I want to get back to work as soon as possible. My doctor said 1 month, but this feels really fast. I hope that is the case, but I would like to hear from someone who has recovered from this procedure. I want to know what I can expect. Please email me back if you can provide me with information.

  5. By Gloria Bailey on Jun 15, 2009 | Reply

    Good luck with having anyone actually share
    information on the spine procedure they went through,accept your doctors take on pain, recovery and therapy.

  6. By Sherrie on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply

    Hi Annie, I wanted to share with you in Feb,09 I had to have C4 through C-7 fused and a metal plate put in my neck. I was told that my recovery back to regular duty would be 4-5 months. I will be released next month by my Neosurgeon. I only took Vicadin for maybe 3 weeks and I do wonderful. I was very scared to have this surgery but I truly had the best surgeon in Oregon ( Dr Daryll Brett). You will feel so much better. You will find at first that brushing your hair or putting your arms up high is difficult, only because when we do that we pull muscles in are neck. You may also have slight burning, I did where they put my plate in. It only lasted 3 weeks or so. I have all the feeling back in my left arm and hand. I got that back in recovery. My incision is on the right side of my neck it is long, but I have laser treatment onit twice a week. I also use fish oil for it. My incision was suppose to be down by my left collar bone. But more had to be done after my Dr. reviewed my 3 rd MRI prior to surgery. I have no pain with it, if anything it itches alot from healing. I will be thibking and praying for you, you will be just fine and you will feel so much better I do Good luck feel free to E-Mail me if you habe any questions. Take care Sherrie

  7. By Sherrie on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply

    Gloria and Claude you may also E-Mail me I will be happy to share this information with anyone who needs it. Take care Sherrie in Oregon.

  8. By brenda on Aug 18, 2009 | Reply

    gloria,I had surgery on my neck for spinal stenosis in 06.I had what they call decompression surgery where they go and take tissue from the spinal canal. I had a titanium plate put in.My neck hurts at times,just really stiff.I work full time in housekeeping at our local hospital.I was in the hospital 3 days,had my surgery november 17,06,returned to work in Jan.25,07.Be sure and ask your dr.about physical therapy.I would have done so much better if I had had it soon after surgery but he didn’t seem to think so.I finally went on my own.You will be fine,you are welcome to email me anytime at bem123447@yahoo.com.I will remember you in my prayers!

  9. By jennifer on Aug 19, 2009 | Reply

    I have had two spinal fusions C5-6 then c7, 09/07 and then another in 06/08 and am still having pain and weakness in the right arm and hand the pain has it’s days more bad than good have lost 2 jobs since i am unable to focus well as a project manager and with all the meds i am on i am looking at a 3rd surgery to relieve presure on c7 within the next month to help with the pain weakness to arm. I am feelining numbness in the rt side of face cheek rt side of mouth droops slightly. I have gone thru the depression and weight lose and just can’t see living with this for the rest of my life I am 41 and have lived an active life and now I am scared that there is no fixing this. I have 3 active boys that I feel like I am missing out on. my Drs tell me the pain is at moderate and would like to make sure I would like to go thru this again. i am told will need to go thru back of neck instead of front side. can someone let me know if it is worth the try, you know 3 times a charm. please any advice would be great jen_rios@sbcglobal.net or jen.rios@live.com

  10. By jennifer on Aug 19, 2009 | Reply

    I hope that the surgery went well for your wife I found that a rocker reclyner worked best when I was unable to stay in the bed I have had 2 surgeries and am looking at another. see about PT also some Doctors don’t this it is needed but you might want to see where she is this far after. also I did alot of swimming, floating more cause of the pain to lift up my arms but some pools have classes for recovery, cause fibromyalgia is possible to set in.

  11. By Tammy on Sep 4, 2009 | Reply

    To whom it may concern:I’am wife of smeone who has spinal stenosis and disk degenerative diseaseand arthrius in hi back.somethig else tha starts with an f stnosis.His doctor is talking about shots in the back.that alone scares me.the doctor says the MRI showed mild pain but he can’t enjoy his own life at home,much less thinking about work.I’m al out of ideas and have no amily or friends to help us thru this.we even have a special needs child with aheart condition,too.yikes!please someone help us.

  12. By Steve McDevitt on Oct 6, 2009 | Reply

    I had a disectomy with bone fusion in 1991,C5-C6. I was also told 4 weeks recovery. It was done at Columbia Pres. Hospital, in New York City by one of the top Neurosurgens in the Country. The recovery period for the surgury was more like 8 weeks. I never fully recovered as a matter of fact I still suffer today. All the tests I have taken are negative except for bone growths and arthrits in the area. I am under pain management taking large doses of morphine while they try and figure out the cause. I have tried all kinds of therapy from traditional PT to Accupuncture to Psychiatry through the Hospital For Special Surgury NYC. The general opinion of most Physiratist is bone fusion does not work. They have artificial discs or metal plates that I belive would be a better choice. Since surgury I had flare ups every couple of years. The last one was about 5 years ago and I’m still in it. Good Luck.
    Feel free to contact me anytime. I have been through it all. The best advise I can give you is to get loss of wages insurance. The best policy you can get with inflation considered. I have lost 2 jobs due to this. The first company I was with for 25 years. That was a mutual agreement> I realized I could not function with pain medication or without it. The second job lasted 11 months. I can not function anymore. We spent our life savings on my illness even with health insurance.

  13. By kelly on Nov 14, 2009 | Reply

    I am 27 yrs old and will be having back surgery on monday. (3 days from now!) im having a bone fusion bc disc is gone between L5 and S1 and vertebrae has shifted in places. they said i was probaly born like this. i know at times the pain has been worse than others. over the past couple of months it has gotten unbearable. although percocet is great when im in pain im looking to hopefuly get some relief with out the meds. but id like to hear from someone who has been through what i am going through.

  14. By joy draper on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply

    I had c5 and c6 neck fusion in 2000. I was released 6 weeks later with no restrictions!!! to return back to work even though I knew it was something not right I was hurting and actually my neck did not hurt before surgery. I was being treated for carpul tunnel for 2 years because the side effects were tingling and knumbness this company sent me to diffent doctors and finally I was sent to one that diagniosed that I did have carpul tunnell in both wrists but he sent me for a open MRI that showed my disc’s were the size of a toothe pick.I stayed 1 night in the hospital morning surgery. Now I am disabled and have spinal stenosis, radiculopathy,and a bulging disc. Pain pills everyday and scared out of my mind what is next. This will be my 10th year after surgery and my neuro doctor will not comment {workers comp dr.}.Any comments on neuro-surgery, doctors and anyone that has had this situation happen to them PLEASE COMMENT or email me.

  15. By Jodell on Feb 1, 2010 | Reply

    In June of 2007, I had the c4,5 and 6 discs taken out through the front of my neck (Spinal Stenosis, Focal Reversal Lordosis, Deg.Disc Disease)which were replaced with Cadaver bone. My Neurosurgeon told me that it was a 1-3 years recovery. Was walking wide legged back before the surgery and now almost 3 years later, back to walking wide-legged again!!!!!!! Started when I was almost 38 and now I’m almost 43. Need to have another surgery but let me tell you all,it was the, by far, the most HORRIFIC, most PAINFUL experience of my ENTIRE life!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!

  16. By Josephine on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    I am considering having surgery for spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease but i am afraid that i will not walk after the surgery.

  17. By Sue on Feb 21, 2010 | Reply

    I had an Antiorer Fusion with instrumentations which is a titanum rod put into my neck with a cadavar bone into my neck as well.

    I had the first surgery 10/08, and the second 11/08…I still have alot of pain, it doesn’t help that I live in PA…where there is so much snow.

    My body has become a barimator…i still have weakness in my arm

  18. By Sue on Feb 21, 2010 | Reply

    Joy,

    Do you go to pain management? I stil do. I had an excellent surgeon, but I don’t think that matters…Once they “go in” you are left with arthiritis, and it’s just so dipalating at times. I was an active 40 yo with a young son, I lost my marriage (which wound up to be a good thing), he was in it “for better”, not worse.
    Anyway, i still suffer daily, and i just take it one day at a time. I still have the tens machine which I use all the time, and I take pain pills and pain patches…Do u beleive? I have patches for pain?

    Sue

  19. By david on Feb 22, 2010 | Reply

    I have lumbar spinal stenosis – L4.It has been getting worse every year, especially the pain and my left leg going numb and heavy. I have been trying to get my disability for three years, now. Does anyone have a suggestion for helping me receive my disability? I worked for 35 years as a musician and cannot stand or sit behind my drums for hours at a time anymore. I know people who have the same problem, but they are not in half the shape I am in. What gives?

  20. By david on Feb 22, 2010 | Reply

    Oh, I forgot to say that the people who I know who have the same problem, received their disability without any problem.

  21. By f saucier on Mar 2, 2010 | Reply

    Hello,
    I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis..lumbar pinched nerves..I am in physical therapy…I have had 5 sessions with the therapist and do the exercises daily…I still have tingling and numbness in the legs.

    If you have had this, do you have any comments or suggestions for me…thanks frances

  22. By f saucier on Mar 2, 2010 | Reply

    have spinal stenosis…legs tingling and numbwhere do I go for help… in physcial therapy…

  23. By Jewel Kemp on Mar 8, 2010 | Reply

    I had a long history of lower back pain and was diagnosed with: Spinal Stenosis. I had a herniated disc, Arthritis in the spine, curveture of the spine and siatica. I had lower back surgery on 11/2/09 and I do not experience back pain but the left leg is often numb especially if I walk a New York City block. Sometimes when I first awaken both legs have some tingling but mostly the left leg which always go numb. Any information will help. Thank you so much in advance.

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