What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
As we age, our spine, like most of our body, begins to suffer the effects of time and normal wear and tear. The lumbar spine is the lower region of the spine, made up of five vertebral bodies within the lower back. The nerves along the spinal cord pass through the spinal canal and exit through small openings in the sides of the vertebrae known as the foramina.
These nerves are responsible for sending sensations from the buttocks and lower legs to the brain, in addition to providing motor signals to produce movement of the legs and other lower extremities. As our spine degenerates over time, these issues can cause a condition known as lumbar spinal stenosis.
The lumbar spine is the lower portion of the spine, and as a result of aging and the normal breakdown associated with years of stress, the discs and vertebrae eventually degenerate. Lumbar stenosis is a condition in which this deterioration causes narrowing of the spinal canal and the foramina, the openings for the nerves to exit the spinal canal.
These discs or vertebral bones will press against the nerves or the spinal cord itself, causing painful compression and a variety of other symptoms.
Symptoms
Lumbar stenosis mainly affects the lower body and lower extremities. The main symptoms are:
Causes
As a result of aging, and years of stress put on the spinal discs and vertebrae, they will begin to degenerate. This degeneration is the main cause of spinal stenosis. Rarely, will individuals be born with a narrowed spinal canal. The main causes of spinal stenosis include:
- Spinal Arthritis
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spondylolisthesis
- An Accident, Injury, or Trauma
- Complication of Prior Surgery
- Spinal Tumors
- Certain Bone Disorders or Infections
Treatment
Non-Surgical Options
The majority of spinal stenosis patients do not require surgical measures for treatment.
- Physical Therapy/Exercise – Inactivity can be a major issue with stenosis, and some targeted exercise plans can help patients to recover from their injuries. Also making changes to the way you walk or make certain movements can often help.
- Medication – Includes anti-inflammatory medication, epidural injections, and pain relievers (OTC & prescriptions)
- Epidural Injections
Surgical Options
When the pain symptoms are more severe, and there is significant muscle weakness surgery may be necessary.
Spinal stenosis is quite a common condition, and can present itself in a number of different ways – therefore depending on your specific situation, Dr. Varma may recommend other procedures as well.
- Lumbar Laminectomy – Used to help decompress the nerve pressure.
- Spinal Fusion – In some rare cases, stabilization surgery might be needed – Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), Posterior Lumbar Fusion and Lateral Lumbar Fusion.
