Old age has its challenges; for instance, you are likely to experience tissue degeneration, leading to spinal wear and tear. The spinal degeneration leads to the narrowing of the spine and spinal stenosis; unfortunately, the condition leads to back and leg pain. Fortunately, you can look for Roswell spinal stenosis experts to educate you on the causes, symptoms and treat the condition. Read on to learn how to cope with spinal stenosis.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is caused by narrowing the space on the spinal cord, which exerts pressure on the nerves. It is prevalent at one age and can occur in people with osteoarthritis due to weak bones. Again, the condition could occur due to herniated discs as they can easily collapse or settle, resulting in less space between the vertebrae. The discs that cushion the spinal bones can flatten out, putting pressure on the facet joints. Again, trauma and injuries, and thickening of the ligaments around the spine might cause spinal stenosis.
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
You can feel discomfort and pain around your spinal cord; the discomfort and pain are mild and take time to manifest. The pain would depend on the location the stenosis is occurring and its cause. For instance, if it results from old age, its symptoms might be mild and increase with time. However, if it occurs due to trauma, you would feel the pain and discomfort instantly.
You may experience sciatica which causes pain on the buttocks and legs to the feet. Some people might also have tingling on their arms which turns into weakness on the arms and legs. If the condition is severe, it may make an individual lose balance due to leg weakness, and it may also lead to chronic neck pain, which does not go away in a long time.
How to Relieve Pressure on the Spinal Nerves
You can improve spinal stenosis with physical therapy, although staying active with the throbbing spinal pain is not easy. Being less active could weaken the muscles leading to more severe symptoms. Some physical movements can build up strength in your spine, increasing flexibility thus reducing pain. However, a therapist can help you reach your fitness goals as they understand the exercises that work well for stenosis on different body parts.
Epidural injections directly on the spinal cord may reduce the pain related to spinal stenosis. The injection blocks pain transmission and reduces inflammation around the nerve. Although it does not cure spinal stenosis, an epidural injection relieves chronic pain, which reduces intense pain.
Finally, you can opt for minimally invasive surgical procedures such as laminectomy, which helps decompress the spinal discs. The procedure creates more space in your spine and relieves the pressure on your nerves.
Final Thoughts
Spinal stenosis can reduce the quality of life, making it impossible to accomplish everyday activities. Fortunately, a medical expert can educate you on dealing with spinal stenosis. You can engage in physical therapy, opt for an epidural injection and minimally invasive surgery to deal with the condition.
