Spinal stenosis
When stenosis occurs, it means that the inner space of the column has narrowed, provoking constraint and impaired general functionality. The negative consequences of spinal stenosis depend on the stage of the malfunction, how sharply the stenosis has formed, and in which area it is located. If left without treatment for a long time, it may result in serious damages.
Spinal stenosis itself is not an independent disease. It occurs as a complication of other diseases and is diagnosed only if there are obvious signs like pain. If the narrowing is insignificant, it is difficult to determine and stenosis can be established only through a special examination.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
Age-linked factors are one of the main issues that may provoke stenosis as soft and hard tissues get affected. Soft tissues serve for cushioning and help the spine to move freely. Their wear and tear can lead to negative changes and immense pain. The other conditions that may provoke stenosis are:
- Lipoma, eduritis and other pathologies;
- Salt deposits;
- Intervertebral hernia;
Examination in pathology shows incomplete filling of the radicular pocket with a contrast agent.
Symptoms of Spinal stenosis
The first symptom that patients notice is pain and discomfort. This is an early manifestation of stenosis that occurs due to squeezed blood vessels and deprivation of their oxygen supply. With stenosis of the dorsal spine, there are aching sensations in the spine and limbs, and limping due to pain and stiffness. If treatment is not started soon after the onset of the described symptoms, the lesion affects the surrounding tissue and spreads to the spinal nerves. As a result:
- Violation of the sensitivity of the different body parts;
- Urination or bowel movement occurs, which the patient cannot control;
- Muscles weaken, hypertrophy occurs.
Surgery
In order to eliminate stenosis and pain, several types of operations can be done in Orlando Medical Center “Touch of Health”:
- Segment stabilization. Helps to restore the correct position of the vertebrae, stops the damage to adjacent sections;
- Resection. Part of the arc is removed, the squeezing stops. This procedure results in the loss of normal stability.
- Interspinous fixation. Special implants are installed to stabilize the spine.
- Endoscopic foraminotomy. This surgical intervention is aimed at stopping the pathological process. The recovery after such treatment is very fast.
- Microdiscectomy. The operation is minimally invasive, with a short recovery period.
If the pathological process of stenosis is combined with the loss of spine stability, it is advisable to use stabilizing systems.
Stenosis Treatment
Frequently, patients with spinal stenosis can achieve stable remission with medication treatment. Our doctors in Orlando Medical Center “Touch of Health” mainly use such groups of drugs as NSAIDs, diuretics, muscle relaxants, antibacterial and antiviral medicines, and vitamins of group B.
Physiotherapy treatment demonstrates good results in the case of stenosis. Involving the help of ultrasound, magnetic field, MHF, and water procedures, it is possible to make local microcirculation better, reduce edema and balance the function of nerve endings.
If such treatment methods used do not give the expected effect on spinal stenosis, one continues to feel pain, insensibility and other symptoms, surgery is required.
What Should I Expect from Treatment?
After treatment, many patients report improved walking and less pain in their legs. And as extensive studies of postoperative outcomes have shown, the patient’s satisfaction with the quality of life and improvement in the general condition lasts long after an operation on spinal stenosis.
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