What Is Spinal Stenosis?
A. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. Some individuals are born with a lower than normal diameter of the spinal canal. Most individuals develop spinal stenosis with time. Just as the joints of the fingers become larger with age and wear and tear, the joints of the spine do as well. In the case of the spine, this enlargement of the facet joints and the intervertebral joints results in narrowing of the neural foramina and the spinal canal.
Stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal, usually in the lower back (lumbar) region. This narrowing is often a result of the normal degenerative aging process. It occurs as the disks of cartilage that separate the spine’s vertebrae lose water and the space between the vertebrae become smaller, causing friction between the bones. The loss of water in the disks makes them less flexible and unable to act as shock absorbers in the spine. Daily wear and tear on the spine becomes more significant without these shock absorbers. As the disks degenerate, vertebrae may shift, causing the spinal canal to narrow. In some cases, the nerves that travel through the spinal column to the legs become squeezed. This can cause back and leg pain, and even leg weakness. Arthritis and falls also contribute to the narrowing of the spinal canal, compressing the nerves and nerve roots and causing pain and discomfort. What is degenerative disk disease? Degenerative disk disease is a general term applie
Spinal stenosis is a condition that affects the elderly. It is the most common spinal condition leading to surgery in people over the age of 60. In this condition the spinal canal is narrowed to a degree where the spinal cord or nerve roots may be compromised. The pinching results from a combination of disc bulging, hypertrophy or enlargement of the facet joints and thickening of a ligament called the ligamentum flavum. The resulting symptoms of pain, numbness, and weakness are called neurogenic claudication. These symptoms are more diffuse than those associated with disc herniations due to the involvement of many nerve roots as opposed to a single root. The symptoms are aggravated by standing and walking, which increase the curve of the lumbar spine. This causes thickening the ligamentum flavum and narrowing of the spinal canal. Sitting relieves the symptoms by straightening the spine and stretching the ligament thus opening the spinal canal.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of spaces in the spine (backbone) that results in pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. This disorder usually involves the narrowing of one or more of three areas of the spine: (1) the canal in the center of the column of bones (vertebral or spinal column) through which the spinal cord and nerve roots run, (2) the canals at the base or roots of nerves branching out from the spinal cord, or (3) the openings between vertebrae (bones of the spine) through which nerves leave the spine and go to other parts of the body. The narrowing may involve a small or large area of the spine. Pressure on the lower part of the spinal cord or on nerve roots branching out from that area may give rise to pain or numbness in the legs. Pressure on the upper part of the spinal cord (that is, the neck area) may produce similar symptoms in the shoulders, or even the legs. (See figs. 1, 2 and 3.
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the space available for the nerves becomes very small and the nerves become pinched and inflamed which leads to significant nerve pain. The typical cause of the narrowing of the spinal canal is arthritis of the spine, which gradually narrows the space for the nerves.
