Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms, Daignosis, Prevention and Treatment

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Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
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What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

• You are having a bundle of nerves called spinal
  cord that regulates through a tunnel made by your
  vertebrae. The tunnel is referred to as the
  spinal canal.Lumbar spinal stenosis is a
  narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part
  of your back. Stenosis that means narrowing can
  further cause pressure on your spinal cord or the
  nerves that go from your spinal cord to your
  muscles.Spinal stenosis can occur in any part
  of your spine but is most common in the lower
  back. This portion of your spine is called your
  lumbar area. Five lumbar vertebrae join your
  upper spine to your pelvis.If you are having
  lumbar spinal stenosis, you may have trouble
  walking distances or find that you need to lean
  forward to lower down pressure on your lower
  back. You can also have pain or numbness in your
  legs.In more of the severe cases, you can have
  difficulty in controlling your bowel and bladder.
  There is still no cure available for lumbar
  spinal stenosis, but you have many treatment
  choices.

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What causes lumbar spinal stenosis?

• One of the most common causes of spinal stenosis
  is osteoarthritis, the gradual wear and tear that
  happens to your joints over time.Spinal
  stenosis is common because osteoarthritis begins
  to cause changes in most peoples spines by age
  50. That's why most people who develop symptoms
  of spinal stenosis are 50 or older. Women tend to
  have a higher risk of developing spinal stenosis
  than men.Besides osteoarthritis, other
  conditions or circumstances can cause spinal
  stenosis
• Narrow spinal canal
• Injury to the spine
• Spinal tumor
• Certain bone diseases
• Past surgery of the spine
• Rheumatoid arthritis

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How is lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed?

• To diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis, your doctor
  will ask you questions about your symptoms and do
  a complete physical exam. At the time of the
  physical exam, your doctor will look for signs of
  spinal stenosis, like the loss of sensation,
  weakness, and abnormal reflexes.These tests
  help make a diagnosis
• X-rays of your lumbar spine - These may depict
  bone growths called spurs that push on spinal
  nerves or narrowing of the spinal canal.
• Imaging tests - A CT scan or MRI scan can give a
  more detailed look at the spinal canal and nerve
  structures.
• Other studies - Your doctor might order a bone
  scan, myelogram (a CT taken after injecting dye),
  and EMG (an electrical test of muscle activity).

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How is lumbar spinal stenosis treated?

• If you are having lumbar spinal stenosis,
  different specialties of doctors can help you,
  like arthritis specialists, nerve specialists,
  surgeons, and physical therapists.Treatment can
  involve physical therapy, medicine, and sometimes
  surgery. Except in emergencies, like cauda equina
  syndrome, surgery is usually the last option.
• Physical therapy may include exercises to
  strengthen your back, stomach, and leg muscles.
  Learning how to do activities safely, using
  braces to support your back, stretching, and
  massage may also be helpful.
• Medicines may include non-steroidal,
  anti-inflammatory medicines that relieve pain and
  swelling, and steroid injections that reduce
  swelling.
• Surgical treatments include removing bone spurs
  and widening the space between vertebrae. The
  lower back may also be stabilized by fusing
  together some of the vertebrae.
• Acupuncture and chiropractic care may also be
  helpful for some people.

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