What is Spinal Stenosis?

Narrowing of one or more of the three parts in your spine may cause spinal stenosis. The narrowing can put pressure on the nerves and the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis occurs most commonly in your upper or lower back. 

Risk Factors for getting Spinal Stenosis Include
Aging: The incidence of developing spinal tendonitis increases with age as the joints may swell and bone spurs may develop. The tissue supporting the spine could lose its elasticity and get thicker.

Gender: Postmenopausal women are more at risk for spinal Stenosis than men. 

Medical History: Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can predispose a person to spinal stenosis. Other medical conditions which include congenital deformities like a curved spine or injuries and spinal tumors.

Signs and symptoms
Spinal stenosis can occur without any symptoms. Symptoms which do occur usually get worse with time. People with spinal stenosis need to rest frequently while performing day to day chores.

Some of the Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis Include
• Having trouble walking. Pain and cramping in the calf and leg muscles is a major symptom in people with spinal stenosis. The pain usually worsens while climbing uphill or downhill depending upon the type of spinal stenosis.

• When the nerves in the neck are compressed, pain in the neck may occur. This can be accompanied by pain in the shoulders, arm or hand.

• Muscle weakness, loss of sensation and clumsiness can occur with spinal stenosis as it can affect the nerves which are responsible for balance.

• Bowel or bladder control may be impaired with spinal stenosis leading to incontinence in severe cases.

• Pain radiating down the leg from the hip and back, which gets worse when sitting. 

• Problems and abnormal sensations in the foot such as tingling, numbness or weakness are other symptoms of spinal stenosis. Read More...