Spinal Stenosis
Abstract
Spinal Stenosis is a term commonly used to describe a narrowing of the spinal canal. This problem is much more common in people over the age of 60. However, it can occur in younger people who have abnormally small spine canals as a type of birth defect. The problem usually causes back pain and leg pain that comes and goes with activities such as walking. The purpose of this information is to help you understand: the anatomy of the spine related to spinal stenosis the signs and symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, how the condition is diagnosed, and the treatments available for the condition.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Anatomy
The anatomy of the spine has three major regions: the cervical, the thoracic, and the lumbar. Your spine is a long column of bones (aka vertebra) that stretches from the base of your skull to your tailbone. The vertebrae supports and stabilizes your upper back, while at the same time allowing you to move freely. The vertebrae also protects your spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and nerve cells that extend the length of your spine. The cord housed inside a channel (aka spinal canal) within the vertebra. 31 pairs of nerves branch off from the spinal cord, providing communication between your brain and the rest of your body.
What is Spinal Stenosis
As defined by the Laser Spine Institute, Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal by a piece of bone or disc material. This can cause weakness in your extremities. This narrowing results in pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves. Spinal stenosis can occur in a variety of ways in your spine. Most cases of spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back (lumbar spine) and will affect the sciatic nerve. Most often, spinal stenosis results from degenerative changes in the spine caused by aging. Tumor injuries and other diseases can also lead to the narrowing in the spinal canal.
Symptomology
Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs more commonly in males. This may be a combination of congenitally narrow canal linked with occupational risk. Although symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis is usually a disease of the middle-aged and the elderly, younger patients may also be affected. Typically, the earliest complaint is back pain, which is relatively nonspecific and may result in delayed diagnosis. Spinal stenosis often starts gradually and worsens over time. Signs of spinal stenosis will not likely develop until the narrowed areas compress the spinal cord or the base of the spinal nerves (nerve roots).
Second type of SB is Meningocele. It is a rare form, which protective membranes around the meninges push out through the opening in the vertebrae. Because the spinal cord develops normally, these membranes can be removed by surgery with little or no damage to the nerve
...can see if this condition runs in the family. A physical examination is a good way to tell is there is any type of muscle weakness or spinal curvature.
What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes the back to curve sideways like and “S” or a “C” and cause the body to lean to one side. Scoliosis can eventually if not looked into and not treated colid with your bodily organs like your heart, lungs, and kidneys. This can cause you to slump down into a hump and cause it hard to breath and do physical activity.
Spina bifida is caused by the failure of the back bones to form over the back of the spinal cord, leaving the nerve unprotected. (Neural
The vertebral column of the body remains stable due to the isometric co-contraction of the erector spinae, rectus abdominus and the e...
Based on the findings presented, Dr. Green made the correct diagnosis in predicting that this gentleman had a spinal cord injury.
The spinal cord is a major channel in the body where motor and sensory information travels from the brain to the body. It has white matter that surrounds a central gray matter. The gray matter is where most of the neuronal cells are located. Injury to the spinal cord will affect the conduction of information across any part of the spinal cord where the damage is located (Maynard et al., 1997). This will often result in permanent disability of a certain muscle or region of the body (Meletis et al., 2008) and a loss of tissue where the damage is located (Peng et al., 2009). As of now, there is no treatment for spinal cord injury expect for steroids. All steroids can do is provide protect of the spinal cord from secondary injury for specific patients (Peng et al., 2009).
Spinal fusion stabilizes the spinal vertebra by fusing the disk spaces between the vertebra. The purpose of Lumbar fusion surgery is designed to help create solid bone between the adjoining vertebra. Classically Autograft bone has been used for fusion. This case study demonstrates the successful use of a synthetic bone graft called Signafuse. Signafuse is a moldable bone graft comprising a proprietary combination of patented bioactive glass particles and biphasic mineral granules suspended in a patented resorbable polymer carrier.
Tests after tests including MRI’s, X-rays, and experimental procedures were performed to show I had five ruptured disks in the lower lumbar section of my back. Tedious Examination done by a group of doctors concluded I had a crippling disease of the spinal column called spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes compression of the spinal cord. (Lohr,1) If this disease was ignored any longer, it would lead to many other problems affecting other areas of my back to help support this weakness. It was an extremely rare case for an athlete my age.
Symptomology:.. Simple musculoskeletal back pain is a symptom of pain in the lumbrasacral area of the back (Jackson & Simpson, 2006). Upper thighs and knees are also known to be affected (Jackson & Simpson, 2006). This pain is usually described as dull pain (Jackson & Simpson, 2006). Spinal nerve root pain is localised down the leg, and usually continues below the knee and into the feet (Jackson & Simpson, 2006).
Scoliosis is a disease that attacks the muscles and ligaments of the spinal column, causing a sideways twisting and rotation of the spine, ribs, and pelvis. Its is a C-shaped or S-shaped curvature of the spine. An S-shaped curve is created when a secondary curve counterbalances primary abnormal curve. It severely impairs the bodies neurological, hormonal, and nutritional systems.
If you have back pain that's caused by problems with your discs, then you might benefit from spinal decompression. One type of decompression treatment is surgery that relieves pressure on the nerves in your spine. A more gentle type of treatment is spinal decompression therapy. This therapy might be able to correct your condition and relieve your pain without having to undergo back surgery. Here is some more information.
90% of the asymptomatic, > 60 years old, have degenerative changes of the cervical spinal canal[4]. About 60% of them have disk degeneration and 28% cervical foraminal stenosis after the age of 40[5]. Study by Northover et.al.[6] .suggests that CM is diagnosed more often in males and at average age of 63.8. Women are affected on earlier age but not as often as men.
Rectus, and External and Internal Obliques flex the spine. Transversus aids in respiration and helps to compress the abdominal cavity to help support the spine in neutral. 4. How does the breath relate to flexion and extension of the spine?
Scoliosis is a deformation of the spinal column. The classification for Scoliosis is when the spinal column is curved sideways. Usually in the shape of the letter c or s. Unlike Lordosis, which is an extreme inward curve of the spine; or Kyphosis, a forward curve of the spine. Scoliosis's exaggeration lies in the how it's slanted.