Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Specialists

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

What exactly is lumbar spinal stenosis?

For someone who is experiencing pain in the lower back or neck, you might be thinking that it is a common issue and that it will just eventually go away on its own. Unfortunately, this might not be the case if you are living with lumbar spinal stenosis.

While lumbar spinal stenosis takes place in the neck or the lower back, symptoms vary depending on where the compression is taking place. Generally, symptoms might not show up until later on in life as the canal gradually narrows over time. However, there are some cases in which symptoms might show up earlier due to an injury or traumatic event.

Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis on the Neck

• Pain in the lower back is the most obvious and noticeable symptom when it comes to lumbar spinal stenosis. This pain might come and go or it could be a constant dull ache.
• Sciatica is the pain that takes place in the buttocks which can extend down the leg.
• Numbness and tingling can also be a sign of compressed nerves. It is a pin-like sensation that might feel like your foot has fallen asleep.
• Loss of bowel or bladder control in severe cases can also be observed.

Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis on the Lower Back

• Neck pain
• Numbness and tingling in the arm, hand, leg, or foot
• Weakness in the arm or leg area
• Having trouble balancing

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Causes

When it comes to what causes lumbar spinal stenosis, the answer is not always clear. In some cases, it may be the result of degenerative changes in the spine that occur with aging. These changes can include the development of bone spurs or the thickening of ligaments. In other cases, lumbar spinal stenosis may be the result of a congenital condition, such as a narrow spinal canal. Here are some of the most common causes of lumbar spinal stenosis:

Bone Overgrowth

The vertebrae are made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and cartilage. The vertebral bodies are the largest bones in the spine and they house the spinal cord. The vertebral bodies can become overgrown, which causes them to press on the spinal cord. In most cases, this is caused by an abnormality of the bone growth plate.

This type of stenosis is typically seen in older patients and is often seen in people who have osteoporosis or other conditions that cause bone loss.

Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are a common cause of lumbar spinal stenosis because they can compress the spinal cord as it passes through the narrow canal formed by the vertebrae. In most cases, this type of herniation occurs from excessive pressure from sitting or standing for long periods of time without moving around enough to allow proper blood flow to your lower back area and legs. People who sit a lot at work (for example) may be more likely to develop degenerative disc disease than those who exercise regularly and move around frequently throughout their day.

Congenital Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

This type of condition is where a person is born with a small spinal canal. It is a congenital abnormality that can be passed down in families. An abnormally shaped spine, called scoliosis, can also cause narrowing of the spinal canal. Thus anyone with scoliosis is at risk of developing spinal stenosis.

Spinal Cysts or Tumors

Tumors and cysts are rare causes of lumbar spinal stenosis. If a tumor or cyst compresses the spinal canal, symptoms may include back pain, and weakness, loss of sensation, or numbness in one leg.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries can affect multiple levels of the spine and cause narrowing of the spinal canal. The most common injury that causes stenosis is a fracture of one or more vertebrae in the back. Other possible injuries include dislocation, a subluxation (partial separation), and ligament damage.

Who Commonly Gets Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

This type of condition is more common in older adults, however, it can occur at any age. Lumbar spinal stenosis is most often seen in people over the age of 50 as they are more prone to the wear and tear of the spine that can lead to this condition.

Is Spinal Stenosis Hereditary

Yes. Spinal stenosis is highly hereditary. This is because if your family has a history of scoliosis, arthritis, or other conditions that can lead to this condition, you are more likely to develop it as well. According to the National Library of Medicine, the heritability of this case is 66.9%.

How Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Is Diagnosed

Once you visit our clinic, the first step in diagnosing lumbar spinal stenosis is to obtain a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. Here are some of the tests and procedures that may be used to diagnose if you have lumbar spinal stenosis:

X-Rays

X-rays are the most common way to diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis. Our doctor takes x-rays of your back and spine, looking for signs of narrowing or degeneration in the spinal canal. X-rays can show whether there are bone spurs or arthritis in the spine.

MRI

Another test that can help diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of your body’s soft tissues, ligaments, tendons, and muscles without using harmful radiation like x-rays do. An MRI can show if there are any bulging discs or herniated discs that may be contributing to compression on nerves, which causes pain down the leg when you walk or stand up from sitting for too long.

CT Scan

The CT Scan, which is a combination of X-rays and computer technology, can show detailed images of your bones, discs, and other tissues. Our lumbar spinal stenosis doctors in Maryland use CT scans to see if there is any narrowing of the spinal canal or if there are any bone spurs that might be pressing on nerves.

Myelogram

A myelogram is an X-ray of the spinal cord after a dye is injected into the space around it. The dye makes it easier to see the spinal cord and nerves.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Maryland

Treatments may vary depending on the severity of the condition. For mild cases of lumbar spinal stenosis, our doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications and physical therapy. If any of these conservative treatments do not relieve your symptoms, another popular lumbar spinal stenosis treatment in Maryland is steroid injections or spinal fusions to help you relieve the pain and reduce inflammation through a series of injections near the spine.

For moderate to severe cases of lumbar spinal stenosis, our spinal stenosis experts may recommend surgery as the best treatment option. The most common type of surgery for this condition is a laminectomy, which is also called decompressive surgery. This procedure involves removing portions of the bone, bony growths on disks that are pressing on nerves (bone spurs), and other tissues that may be crowding the spinal canal to take pressure off the spinal cord and nerves.

Treatment for Spinal Stenosis in Elderly

Treatment approaches for lumbar spinal stenosis may vary depending on the age of the patient. For instance, surgery may not always be the best option for older adults because they may be at a higher risk for complications. In these cases, our doctors may recommend more conservative treatment options such as physical therapy and taking anti-inflammatory medications. More often, elderly patients are advised to decrease physically demanding activities, lose weight, and avoid prolonged standing or walking for long periods.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are experiencing any back pain or leg pain that limits your ability to perform your daily activities, it is best to consult with our lumbar spinal stenosis specialists to better understand your condition to determine whether you have lumbar spinal stenosis. Our board-certified Maryland pain management doctors offer comprehensive and compassionate care to design a treatment plan that is best for you. Schedule a consultation today with one of our spinal stenosis experts