One form of back pain that many people have to suffer through is a condition called spinal stenosis. Although attributable to a number of causes, the most common is simply aging. The stress that accumulates on a person’s spinal cord over the course of years can manifest in stenosis, and it is important for individuals to gain a better grasp of the issue.
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First, one has to understand what the condition entails. Stenosis stems from the canals that make up our vertebrae. There are two types of canals to be aware of: vertebral foramen, through which the spinal cord runs, and lateral foramen, which are basically offshoots of the spinal cord that allow nerves to travel to other parts of an individual’s body.
When a person is healthy, these canals provide ample space for the cord and the nerves to run. Spinal stenosis, though, causes these canals to become constricted. There are three types of stenosis (lateral, foraminal, and central), but each will create similar symptoms. As the nerve is encroached upon by the canal, the ensuing pressure can create intense pain. Your muscles will feel weak, and potentially numbness will be experienced in affected areas.
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There are those persons who may be more susceptible to the condition than others. If you suffer from some types of arthritis, for instance, there’s a greater possibility of spinal stenosis. The same goes for those with osteoporosis or degenerative disc disease. There are myriad other lifestyle risk factors to be aware of. Smoking, obesity, a lack of back strength, and even an inability to maintain proper posture can contribute to spinal stenosis.
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For those who receive a spinal stenosis diagnosis, there are multiple options to consider, all depending upon the severity of the issue and the desires of the individual dealing with the pain.
Many of those options do not involve surgery. For instance, a physical therapy regimen can widen out spinal canals and help an individual see spinal stenosis go away naturally. Such a regimen will require the assistance of a chiropractor and a trainer well-versed in strengthening targeted areas. Pain management with aspirin and the application of ice is another possibility. When supplemented with physical therapy and corticosteroids injection for more serious and chronic pain, spinal stenosis may go away.
For some, however, surgery may be the most appropriate answer. An array of surgical options are available depending on the location of the stenosis. A different operation will be needed when dealing with the neck versus the lower back, for instance. That said, many of the procedures performed by DISC physicians offer a minimally invasive means with which to correct spinal stenosis. The outpatient procedure allows patients to return home the same day of surgery and typically entails a full recovery time of six weeks to two months.
