Can Spinal Cord Be Repaired?

Sometimes that pain in your neck is more than an annoyance. It may be a condition called spinal stenosis, and it can cause physical symptoms that make it difficult to enjoy your regular activities. Women older than 50 and individuals who injured their spines in the past are at a greater risk of developing the condition. Continue reading for more spinal stenosis information.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Your spinal column has 33 bones held together by discs, ligaments and muscles. Each of these vertebrae has a space in the middle that the spinal cord and spinal nerves run through. When someone develops spinal stenosis, the space within these bones gets smaller. This compresses the spinal cord and puts pressure on the nerves.

There are two types of spinal stenosis: cervical and lumbar. Cervical spinal stenosis affects the cervical vertebrae in the neck. Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back. This is the most common type of spinal stenosis, and it usually results from osteoarthritis. Back injuries can also contribute to or aggravate the condition.

Many people with cervical spinal stenosis don't have any symptoms at all. Common symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. Another symptom associated with cervical spinal stenosis is bladder or bowel dysfunction. Symptoms tend to get worse over time and at some point require medical intervention.

These symptoms can be severe enough to affect your everyday life. Some patients start having trouble writing or find it difficult to button their clothes. They may drop items more frequently because they lose grip and dexterity in their hands. This happens as the space inside the vertebrae decreases so much that the nerves no longer function properly.

Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The symptoms of spinal stenosis in the lumbar region of the spine are similar to cervical spinal stenosis. In addition to pain, tingling, muscle weakness and numbness, patients may notice that they cannot move certain parts of their bodies or they have tremors in a specific area. These symptoms appear in the parts of the body controlled by the affected spinal nerves and may seem to lessen when you lean forward.

Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis often complain of pain along the sciatic nerve. This can feel like burning or an achy sensation anywhere along the nerve, which stretches all the way to the lower leg. In severe cases, the patient may experience foot pain or weakness. Doctors refer to this symptom as foot drop because the foot appears to slap the floor when the patient walks.

Treatments for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis treatment options range from conservative measures with medication to surgery. In most cases, doctors start by prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs or giving cortisone shots to the affected area. They may also recommend physical therapy or specific exercises for spinal stenosis to strengthen the muscles in the back so they can provide more support for the spine.

When conservative approaches don't work, there's spinal stenosis back surgery. The most common surgery for spinal stenosis is a foraminotomy. During this procedure, the surgeon widens the section of the vertebrae where the nerves exit. Another option is a laminectomy. In this procedure, the doctor removes part of the vertebrae to increase the amount of space inside it. Both of these surgeries relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. A final option is spinal fusion in which the vertebrae get joined together through bone grafts or metal plates.

Prognosis for Spinal Stenosis

For many people, spinal stenosis is not a life-changing condition. With treatment, they continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. This is why it's important to find the treatment option that works best for you. Some people go to physical therapy sessions for the rest of their lives. Other people find enough relief through regular cortisone shots.

Surgery has mixed results for patients. Some people who go through surgery never notice another symptom. Others may experience some back or neck discomfort even after they heal from the surgery. In some cases, patients have to go back to the doctor for additional surgeries.