Spinal Stenosis: A Painful Condition Prevalent in the Senior
Population
By Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson
A recent study published by Boston University has determined
that lumbar spinal stenosis affects 4.71% of the general
population, seemingly a very low number. However, 47.2% of
individuals in the 60-69 age group have lumbar spinal stenosis
on their MRI scan, which is a significant number. The
individuals that actually are diagnosed with severe stenosis
will approach 20%. These patients with significant spinal
stenosis have a 3 times higher incidence of back pain than the
general population. As our population continues to live longer,
spinal stenosis will certainly be a significant health problem.
Spinal stenosis is the progression of arthritis in the spine
occurring in the neck, as well as in the lower back. As we age,
the cartilage in the discs of our spine will lose their ability
to hold water. The water in the discs is what helps the disc
move and remain flexible to bending and compression. As the
discs lose their water content, they become more fragile. If the
fragile cartilage breaks, the condition is called degenerative
disc disease. As discs degenerate, they will begin to bulge and
put pressure on the spinal canal and nerve roots. This disc
bulging will decrease the diameter of the spinal canal,a
condition referred to as spinal stenosis. This slows the
information that flows between the brain and the extremities.
The arms will be affected by spinal stenosis in the neck and the
legs will be affected by lower back (lumbar) spinal stenosis.
Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis will feel back pain, as
well as leg pain or fatigue. Because of the fatigue in the legs,
patients will have to sit frequently during walks. Lumbar spinal
stenosis will also cause patients to find benches in the mall
and grab the cart at the grocery store, in order to make it
through their errands. Some patients may attribute their fatigue
to age and as they continue to remain active later in life, this
may severely limit their ability to join in their families
activities. The leg fatigue can cause significant pain and
cramping during activity, but dissipates when the patient sits
down. The act of sitting opens the spinal canal by decreasing
the curve in the lower back,which also occurs while the patient
is leaning on the grocery cart.
Spinal stenosis in the neck may cause more severe symptoms. The
cervical spine protects the spinal cord as it descends from the
base of the brain. Because spinal stenosis in the neck puts
pressure on the spinal cord, the disc pressure will cause
symptoms related to the spinal cord. These include a decrease in
the ability to walk as well as problems with the hands. Patients
may find they tend to stumble, as it becomes harder to control
the feet and legs. They may also find their handwriting getting
severely worse and that they have difficulty differentiating the
size and feel of coins or shirt buttons.
Spinal stenosis is usually treated with physical therapy and
anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapy is intended to
help position the spine and open the spinal canal. With better
posture and stronger core muscles, patients may find their leg
symptoms and fatigue improve. They may find they are able to
walk farther or faster. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are a
first-line option for improving the inflammation related to the
degenerating discs. When physical therapy and oral medications
no longer provide relief, injections of steroid around the discs
and nerves may decrease the pain and symptoms related to the
nerve pressure. Some patients are able to tolerate their
symptoms with a few injections per year.
When all of these efforts fail, surgery becomes an option for
improving the patient’s pain. Surgery is directed toward
relieving the pressure from the arthritis on the spinal canal
and nerves. The mechanical pressure can only be relieved by
physically removing the bone spurs or disc protrusions. The
surgical procedures involve removal of bone and disc, as well as
protecting the nerve roots. Fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine
specialists have undergone the most intense training available
in the treatment of the spine and are uniquely qualified to
treat patients with spinal stenosis.
About the Author: Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson is a doctor at the
Orthopaedic and Spine Center, a leading provider of orthopedics
services such as Hampton Roads spine surgery, Hampton Roads
custom fit knee replacement, and other services. The Orthopaedic
and Spine Center can be found online at:
http://www.osc-ortho.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=470123&ca=Medical+Business
Population
By Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson
A recent study published by Boston University has determined
that lumbar spinal stenosis affects 4.71% of the general
population, seemingly a very low number. However, 47.2% of
individuals in the 60-69 age group have lumbar spinal stenosis
on their MRI scan, which is a significant number. The
individuals that actually are diagnosed with severe stenosis
will approach 20%. These patients with significant spinal
stenosis have a 3 times higher incidence of back pain than the
general population. As our population continues to live longer,
spinal stenosis will certainly be a significant health problem.
Spinal stenosis is the progression of arthritis in the spine
occurring in the neck, as well as in the lower back. As we age,
the cartilage in the discs of our spine will lose their ability
to hold water. The water in the discs is what helps the disc
move and remain flexible to bending and compression. As the
discs lose their water content, they become more fragile. If the
fragile cartilage breaks, the condition is called degenerative
disc disease. As discs degenerate, they will begin to bulge and
put pressure on the spinal canal and nerve roots. This disc
bulging will decrease the diameter of the spinal canal,a
condition referred to as spinal stenosis. This slows the
information that flows between the brain and the extremities.
The arms will be affected by spinal stenosis in the neck and the
legs will be affected by lower back (lumbar) spinal stenosis.
Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis will feel back pain, as
well as leg pain or fatigue. Because of the fatigue in the legs,
patients will have to sit frequently during walks. Lumbar spinal
stenosis will also cause patients to find benches in the mall
and grab the cart at the grocery store, in order to make it
through their errands. Some patients may attribute their fatigue
to age and as they continue to remain active later in life, this
may severely limit their ability to join in their families
activities. The leg fatigue can cause significant pain and
cramping during activity, but dissipates when the patient sits
down. The act of sitting opens the spinal canal by decreasing
the curve in the lower back,which also occurs while the patient
is leaning on the grocery cart.
Spinal stenosis in the neck may cause more severe symptoms. The
cervical spine protects the spinal cord as it descends from the
base of the brain. Because spinal stenosis in the neck puts
pressure on the spinal cord, the disc pressure will cause
symptoms related to the spinal cord. These include a decrease in
the ability to walk as well as problems with the hands. Patients
may find they tend to stumble, as it becomes harder to control
the feet and legs. They may also find their handwriting getting
severely worse and that they have difficulty differentiating the
size and feel of coins or shirt buttons.
Spinal stenosis is usually treated with physical therapy and
anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapy is intended to
help position the spine and open the spinal canal. With better
posture and stronger core muscles, patients may find their leg
symptoms and fatigue improve. They may find they are able to
walk farther or faster. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are a
first-line option for improving the inflammation related to the
degenerating discs. When physical therapy and oral medications
no longer provide relief, injections of steroid around the discs
and nerves may decrease the pain and symptoms related to the
nerve pressure. Some patients are able to tolerate their
symptoms with a few injections per year.
When all of these efforts fail, surgery becomes an option for
improving the patient’s pain. Surgery is directed toward
relieving the pressure from the arthritis on the spinal canal
and nerves. The mechanical pressure can only be relieved by
physically removing the bone spurs or disc protrusions. The
surgical procedures involve removal of bone and disc, as well as
protecting the nerve roots. Fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine
specialists have undergone the most intense training available
in the treatment of the spine and are uniquely qualified to
treat patients with spinal stenosis.
About the Author: Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson is a doctor at the
Orthopaedic and Spine Center, a leading provider of orthopedics
services such as Hampton Roads spine surgery, Hampton Roads
custom fit knee replacement, and other services. The Orthopaedic
and Spine Center can be found online at:
http://www.osc-ortho.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=470123&ca=Medical+Business
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