Low Back Pain, Sciatica and Pinched Nerve Pain - Do You Have Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition where for a variety of reasons the spinal canal becomes more narrow. This narrowing can put additional pressure and compression on the spinal cord and can cause a pinching of the nerve roots. If the narrowing is in the lower part of spinal cord it is referred to as lumbar spinal stenosis and if the narrowing is in the upper part of the spinal cord then it is referred to as cervical spinal stenosis. While stenosis can also occur in the thoracic or upper back region, the lumbar and cervical areas are the most common.

Who Gets Spinal Stenosis?

While some people are born with stenosis, most of the time spinal stenosis is seen in people over the age of 50 who already have some disc degeneration just as a consequence of getting older as well as the gradual wearing down on the spine from normal activities. As we get older, our spinal ligaments can calcify, bone spurs may form, and we can get herniated or ruptured discs. All these conditions can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal which can compress and pinch the spinal nerves.

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Symptoms of spinal stenosis can include back pain radiating to the legs, numbness or pain in the buttocks that worsen when walking or exercising, leg weakness, decreased physical endurance, loss of balance, and leg and neck pain.

Spinal Stenosis Treatments

In general doctors tend to take a conservative approach when initially treating spinal stenosis. Drug therapy such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling are usually prescribed first, along with bed rest and reduced physical activity. Steroid injections can also be use to help reduce swelling although the pain relief is normally temporary.

Traction and spinal decompression may be prescribed, along with physical therapy which can be used to help increase flexibility as well as build endurance.

If the pain is acute, then surgery may be needed in order to widen the spinal canal and to correct the conditions that are contributing to the nerve compression.

Some of the surgical procedures used to treat spinal stenosis are:

Decompressive laminectomy. This is used for treating lumbar spinal stenosis and involves removing the top of the vertebra to create more space for the nerves.

Laminotomy. This is a partial removal of the lamina which can be done to widen the spinal canal and relieve compression on the nerve roots.

Foraminotomy. Removal of bone, scar tissue, or other obstructions that are compressing the nerve root exiting the spinal canal.

Due to the risks involved, many doctors will resort to surgical treatments only after non-surgical treatments have been tried first.

This article is not meant to replace the sound advice of a personal physician. Patients should discuss with their doctor all their treatment options before taking any medical course of action.

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Is Pinched Nerve Pain keeping you on the wall?

For those of us who have been in a pinched nerve, realize exactly how awkward and painful it can be. Pinched nerve may occur in almost any part of the body were the nerves is present and can occur with bone or cartilage, pressing against the nerve itself.

Although the pinched Nerve pain is often associated with an aching back, it is possible for pain in many other places in the body as well as.

Here are some of the most common areas where pinched nerve may occur together with certain options of treatment options.

Sciatica

sciatica is probably one of the most famous cases of pinched nerve that occurs in the body. Remember that sciatica is provided in and of itself. Is actually a symptom of another condition be pinched sciatic nerve or compressed. Sciatic nerve is fairly long-running-down of the lumbar area of back thigh and the direction of interest rates--it is more likely that the Nerve may occur from the form. Pain associated with sciatica can range from slightly soft to the crippling and often occurs in the lower back, buttocks or hips. Also can cause tingling, which you can go all the way down to the feet.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Another type of pinched nerve, which often affects many people is known as the carpal syndrome. This is where the median nerve, passing through the wrist is compressed by the wrist. You can find people with injury stress repeated, such as that which has been recognised in any case where the different types of frequently. This can be extremely painful and can cause numbness in the hand and fingers.

Pinched Nerve treatments

There are several things you can do to help the pinched nerves. Sometimes a simple bed rest may help or simply relieving stress in the area affected by this issue is needed to reduce or stop pain.

Another common way of treatment of pain is using an over-the-counter pain treatment or medication prescriptions of probably your doctor. As long as it is not too severe pain, can easily be controlled.

It could also be times when physical therapy is determined by your doctor to help overcome the problem.

Spinal Decompression therapy is also a popular form of non-invasive treatment. This kind of Add resses treatment be pinched Nerve pain that is often caused by the problems of the neck and back.

Finally may be times when surgery, is required in order to mitigate some of the pinched nerve pain. Typically, surgery is done so that the bone or cartilage, which is the compression of a nerve, you can move sideways. Most people surgery display as the treatment of last resort and prefer to first examine surgical options.

This article is for information purposes only and does not replace the advice health health care provider. Be sure that you have Your your doctor to understand the full set of treatment options and the associated risks.

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