All You Need To Know About Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition that affects many aging adults, especially those who have risked damaging their spine by suffering from degenerative disc disease. Spinal stenosis isn’t just about having unusual back pain or suffering from leg pain. It’s highly frustrating because it makes seemingly ordinary and straightforward tasks incredibly difficult and painful to perform. This article provides you with all you need to know about spinal stenosis. If you experience any symptoms related to this condition, you need to visit a specialist in spinal stenosis in Holmdel for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Causes

One of the most common causes of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis. This degenerative condition destroys cartilage between vertebrae and wears down bone on those same vertebrae and those in the sacrum and pelvis. Spinal degeneration happens over time, but it accelerates after someone suffers a spine injury or has a particular condition that weakens the bones.

Often, people don’t realize they have osteoarthritis until it starts producing symptoms of spinal stenosis. The process makes discs dry out and become brittle, cracking easily. Bone spurs can also develop along damaged vertebrae. These bone spurs lead to the compressed nerves and pressure of the spinal fluid in and around the spine. This compression can, in turn, irritate sensitive nerve endings, leading to leg pain, tingling sensations, muscle spasms, or general weakness. A person may also experience backache and muscle stiffness.

Spinal stenosis can also develop in younger people who have some sort of genetic skeletal abnormalities. It’s not clear if the condition is caused by these abnormalities or simply inherited along with them, but there does seem to be a connection.

Symptoms

The main symptom of spinal stenosis is pain that often worsens over time. Leg pain is the most common kind, but it can also get into an arm or anywhere else on one side of the body. The pain may also come with numbness, tingling, and loss of feeling in various areas. Sometimes people with spinal stenosis also complain of feeling like they can’t stand up straight because of a hunched back.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose spinal stenosis by asking patients to explain their symptoms and examine them. They may also order an MRI to understand better what’s going on inside the spine, especially in areas where pain might be originating. A doctor could order a CT scan if they think it might be herniated discs causing the pain.

Treatment

Treatment for spinal stenosis is often focused on easing symptoms and preventing further injury to the spine by allowing for proper posture, helping people move with greater ease, and relieving pressure where nerves are being pinched. Often, doctors recommend physical therapy to get people moving again and exercise regularly. They may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen, which can help with the pain. However, there are many natural alternatives to painkillers.

In summary, spinal stenosis is a tricky condition because it’s not always easy to diagnose. It’s mainly caused by osteoarthritis, but genetics can pass it down. It affects the spine and nerves, causing pain in various areas. The primary treatment for spinal stenosis is helping people move with greater ease, taking pressure off the spine, and easing inflammation through medication or therapy.