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Do you know how spinal stenosis affects your walking? Check out these unexpected symptoms!
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which abnormal narrowing occurs in the spinal canal or neural foramina, causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Symptoms of this condition may include pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. Usually, these symptoms develop gradually and improve significantly as the body leans forward. In severe cases, patients may lose bladder or bowel control or even face sexual dysfunction.
Spinal stenosis may reportedly affect up to 8% of the population, particularly those over the age of 50.
Causes of spinal stenosis include degenerative arthritis, spinal tumors, trauma, and certain genetic diseases. Depending on the part of the spine affected, the disease can be divided into cervical stenosis, thoracic stenosis, and lower lumbar stenosis. Among them, lumbar stenosis is the most common, followed by cervical stenosis.
Types of Spinal Stenosis
The most common type is lower lumbar stenosis, which often causes sciatica symptoms such as pain in the lower back and numbness that radiates into the buttocks and legs. In contrast, cervical stenosis can lead to more dangerous spinal cord compression and even myelopathy, a serious condition that can include general weakness and paralysis. It is noteworthy that these severe symptoms are almost nonexistent in lumbar stenosis because the adult spinal cord ends at the top of the lumbar spine, where many nerve roots continue.
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Here are some common symptoms:
- Discomfort when standing (94%)
- Pain in the shoulder, arm, or hand (78%)
- Bilateral symptoms (68%)
- Numbness in the affected area (63%)
- Weakness in the affected area (43%)
It is important to note that with spinal stenosis, some symptoms such as numbness and weakness in the lower extremities may be exacerbated by walking or standing for long periods of time and relieved by flexing the spine.
Diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis
The process of diagnosing spinal stenosis usually begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. X-rays and MRI scans are often used to determine the extent and location of nerve compression. MRI is particularly useful because it can show more structures, such as nerves, muscles, and ligaments, than an X-ray or CT scan.
Treatment of Spinal Stenosis
Treatment options are divided into surgical and non-surgical treatments. Nonsurgical treatments include medications for pain and inflammation, physical activity to maintain or improve overall health, weight loss to reduce symptoms, and physical therapy. Surgery is usually performed when other treatments have failed and is usually a decompressive laminectomy.
ConclusionOne study showed that 70-90% of patients who underwent surgery reported good outcomes.
The impact of spinal stenosis on walking cannot be ignored, and many people are unaware of its potential symptoms and consequences. Understanding its possible symptoms, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment options are essential to improving quality of life. Are you ready to learn more about spinal stenosis and how it can affect your life?
