About Spinal Stenosis
By Kevin on
Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal canal stenosis
Foraminal stenosis (when the openings between the vertebrae, called foramina, narrow)
Central canal stenosis (when the central canal within the spinal column narrows)
Specific types of spinal stenosis can have different names based on their location:
Lumbar spinal stenosis: This is the most common type and occurs in the lower back
Cervical spinal stenosis: This occurs in the neck
Thoracic spinal stenosis: This occurs in the middle back
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in your spine get narrower. Imagine your spine as a tunnel. In spinal stenosis, this tunnel starts to shrink, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae, stacked on top of each other. Between these bones are soft cushions called discs. The vertebrae form a canal that protects the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis happens when this canal gets smaller.
This narrowing can happen for different reasons:
As people age, the ligaments (tough bands holding the spine together) can thicken
Bones and joints may also get bigger
Sometimes, a herniated disc (when the soft inside of a disc pushes out) can cause stenosis
Spinal stenosis most often happens in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine). When it's in the lower back, it can cause pain or numbness in the legs. If it's in the neck, it might affect the arms. People with spinal stenosis might feel pain when they walk or stand for a long time. The pain often gets better when they sit down or lean forward. This is because these positions open up the spinal canal and take pressure off the nerves. Spinal stenosis is more common in people over 50, but younger people can get it too. Injuries or tumors can cause it, or people can be born with a small spinal canal. The symptoms of spinal stenosis usually start slowly and get worse over time. Some people might not have any symptoms at first. Others might have severe pain, numbness, or weakness.
How is it diagnosed?
The doctor asks about symptoms and medical history
Physical exam to check strength, reflexes, and feeling
X-rays to look at the bones in the spine
MRI scan to see detailed pictures of the spine
CT scan for a 3D view of the spine
Myelogram, where dye is injected into the spine before a CT scan
Bone scan to check for fractures or tumors
Electromyography (EMG) to test nerve function
How is it treated?
Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility
Pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen
Steroid injections to reduce swelling
Antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs for nerve pain
Decompression procedures to create more space in the spine
Surgery to remove bone or ligaments pressing on nerves
Spinal fusion surgery to stabilize the spine
Lifestyle changes like losing weight or quitting smoking
Assistive devices like a cane or walker
Trend
In the United States, about 250,000 to 500,000 people have symptoms of spinal stenosis
In the last five years, about 2.4 million people have been diagnosed
In the next five years, about 2.7 million people are expected to be diagnosed
History
Spinal stenosis was first described in detail by a Dutch doctor named Henk Verbiest in 1954. Before that, doctors knew about narrow spinal canals but didn't fully understand how they affected people. Henk Verbiest studied patients with leg pain and weakness and discovered that the space inside their spine was too narrow. This discovery helped doctors better understand and treat the condition. Since then, our knowledge of spinal stenosis has grown a lot. We now have better ways to diagnose and treat it, including advanced imaging techniques and new surgical methods.
Source of Information
For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.