Spinal Stenosis

As people age they often experience difficulty standing or walking. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, or a sensation that their legs "feel like wood". These symptoms may occur with or without low back pain. This sometimes leads people to think the problem is coming from some other source such as vascular insufficiency.

Stenosis means narrowing. In spinal stenosis, there is a narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal is the tunnel in the center of the spine that houses the spinal cord and nerves. Narrowing of the canal can cause impingement on the spinal cord or nerves, leading to pain and difficulty standing and walking. Spinal stenosis is frequently seen as people age, i.e. in their 60’s or later. Thickening of the ligaments and development of bone spurs are among the age-related causes of spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis can be caused by other factors such as injury, infection, tumors or congenital abnormalities though this is less common.

In spinal stenosis, the symptoms of leg pain, weakness, numbness, tingling or "clumsiness" are usually made worse by activity such as standing and walking. Patients with severe spinal stenosis are often limited to walking less than one city block before they must stop. Many patents find relief if they bend forward. This results in a widening of the spinal canal which can temporarily relieve the nerve impingement.

Treatment for spinal stenosis can include physical therapy, medications, and cortisone injections or if necessary, surgical decompression of the spinal canal and nerve roots.

As you read this information, keep in mind that all treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual. Only your physician can provide you with a detailed list of your specific indications, precautions, potential adverse events, and other important medical information.

Back

Pre-operative Myelogram

Post-operative Myelogram