Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of one or more spaces within your spine. Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that run through a tunnel formed by your vertebrae. These tunnels are referred to as the spinal canal or intervertebral foramen. Stenosis, which means narrowing can cause pressure on your spinal cord or the spinal nerves that go from the spinal cord to your muscles. This condition can happen in any part of your spine but it is most common in the lumbar spine (lower back). The most common cause of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis, the gradual wear and tear of the joints in the spine. Some people with spinal stenosis may not have symptoms but others may experience a variety of common symptoms.

Signs & Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis?

• Back/Neck pain with extension
• Relief of pain when bending forward
• Numbness, tingling, cramping or weakness
• Loss of sensation
• Issues with balance and or walking
• In severe cases: bowel or bladder dysfunction (urinary incontinence) – Medical Emergency

Causes of Spinal Stenosis?

• Degenerative changes
  • Disc herniation/Degeneration
  • Facet Osteoarthritis
  • Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy: the tough cords that help hold the bones of your spine together can become stiff and thick over time. These ligaments can budge into the spinal canal.
  • Onset of symptoms ages 50-90s
• Spinal Injuries: Car accidents or other trauma to the spine
• Spondylolisthesis
• Tumours or Space occupying lesions
• Certain bone diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Previous surgery to the spine

Treatment Options?

• Conservative Care: Education, Manual therapy, Exercise Programs
• Spinal Decompression Therapy
• Dr Carlo Ammendolia Stenosis Boot Camp
• NSAID’s
• Surgery