What is Spinal Stenosis

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Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which results in pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves leaving the spine. The narrowing may occur in one or more areas of the spine, and can occur on a very small or a large part of the spine.

When the narrowing exerts pressure on the nerves, pain of varying magnitude can result. When Spinal Stenosis occurs in the neck region pain is experienced in the neck and shoulders while if it occurs in the lower parts of the backbone, lower back pains occur and could be accompanied by numbness in the legs and feet.

Spinal Stenosis is generally an age related disorder of the backbone. Adults past the age of 50 are usually the greater sufferers, simply because of degeneration over time. However, Spinal Stenbosis has also been detected in youngsters and may be partly hereditary.

The general symptoms of Spinal Stenosis include pain in the neck or back, pain or numbness in the arms or legs where sitting up straight and flexing the back muscles opens up the pressure area of the spine and relieves the pain temporarily. In a very rare condition of Spinal Stenosis, there is loss of control of the bowel or bladder, with loss of feeling in the legs. This is known as ‘cauda equina’ and needs immediate medical attention as it is a very serious condition.

In order to diagnose Spinal Stenosis, a doctor will need to know the patient’s history, as this could be hereditary, followed by a thorough physical examination, and some x-rays. If these are inconclusive, then the doctor might prescribe an MRI or a CAT Scan. Once the disorder is diagnosed a plan of action may be developed to treat it.

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Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal column (stenosis) that may occur in any of the regions of the spine

The most common forms are cervical spinal stenosis, at the level of the neck, and lumbar spinal stenosis, at the level of the lower back. Thoracic spinal stenosis, at the level of the mid-back, is much less common

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And also Spinal Stenosis has a Silent Epidemic. The prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorders and the cost to treat them led the World Health Organization and the United Nations to declare 2000-2010 be the Decade committed to improving quality of life to people with bone and joint disease and injuries throughout the world.