Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen that results in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. Symptoms are typically gradual in onset and improve with leaning forward. Severe symptoms may include loss of bladder control, loss of bowel control, or sexual dysfunction.
| Spinal stenosis | |
|---|---|
| Spinal stenosis | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics, neurosurgery |
| Symptoms | Pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs |
| Complications | Loss of bladder control, loss of bowel control, sexual dysfunction |
| Usual onset | Gradual |
| Types | Cervical, thoracic, lumbar |
| Causes | Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal tumors, trauma, Paget's disease of the bone, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, achondroplasia |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms and medical imaging |
| Differential diagnosis | Cauda equina syndrome, osteomylitis, peripheral vascular disease, fibromyalgia |
| Treatment | Medications, exercises, bracing, surgery. |
| Medication | NSAIDs, acetaminophen, steroid injections |
| Frequency | Up to 8% of people |
Causes may include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal tumors, trauma, Paget's disease of the bone, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and the genetic condition achondroplasia. It can be classified by the part of the spine affected into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar stenosis. Lumbar stenosis is the most common, followed by cervical stenosis. Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and medical imaging.
Treatment may involve medications, bracing, or surgery. Medications may include NSAIDs, acetaminophen, anticonvulsants (gabapentinoids) or steroid injections. Stretching and strengthening exercises may also be useful. Limiting certain activities may be recommended. Surgery is typically only done if other treatments are not effective, with the usual procedure being a decompressive laminectomy.
Spinal stenosis occurs in as many as 8% of people. It occurs most commonly in people over the age of 50. Males and females are affected equally often. The first modern description of the condition is from 1803 by Antoine Portal, and there is evidence of the condition dating back to Ancient Egypt.