Central Canal Stenosis: A Silent Threat to Your Spinal Cord Health. So How central canal stenosis can compromise spinal cord health?
Central canal stenosis is a spinal cord injury in which the main or spinal canal narrows, usually due to aging or wear and tear. This narrowing is caused by the spinal cord or artery and causes different symptoms depending on the location and severity of the narrowing.
Central stenosis of lumbar spine
Lumbar stenosis affects the lower back and is a type of central stenosis. Early symptoms usually begin with dull or sharp pain in the buttocks, thighs and legs. Some people may feel tightness or stiffness, especially in the morning. The pain may also radiate down the legs and feet, causing itching or burning. In some cases, early symptoms remain the same or even improve, but in others they may become more severe as the tension worsens.
Many people develop neurogenic claudication, a burning or heaviness in the legs that worsens after walking or standing for long periods of time. Some patients experience stiffness or itching in the limbs, as well as “foot drop,” which means difficulty lifting their feet while walking. More severe cases can cause problems with bowel or bladder control.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/lumbar-spinal-stenosis/https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/lumbar-spinal-stenosis
Course of canal stenosis
In general, people with lumbar spinal stenosis have more pain when leaning back or standing, and bending forward or sitting reduces the pain, which reduces pressure on the spine. Lumbar spinal stenosis can progress to cauda equina syndrome when: It is combined with a herniated disc.
As cervical stenosis progresses, symptoms can make it difficult to perform tasks that require fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt, holding a pencil, or maintaining balance, especially in dim light. Severe pain or a “tingling” sensation in the arms and body, especially when the head is moved. These symptoms often indicate myelopathy, which occurs when narrowing of the spinal cord puts pressure on the spinal cord, causing nerve damage that can lead to weakness and fatigue.
Cauda equina syndrome causes back and leg pain, loss of bladder and bowel function, weakness in the legs, and numbness in the soft area (around the hips and groin). This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent permanent nerve damage. The pain has started. Tingling, numbness, or unusual sensations in the hands (often compared to “pins and needles” or numbness) are early symptoms. In about 75% of cases, if left untreated, cervical stenosis will cause permanent damage that will affect a person’s ability to walk or work independently on a daily basis.
Central stenosis of Thoracic stenosis
Thoracic stenosis is rare and usually occurs in the lower thoracic spine, around the T10 to T12 vertebrae. This type of stenosis is often combined with lumbar stenosis and often causes symptoms similar to those of lumbar stenosis, such as leg pain, cramps, or numbness. In severe cases, muscle weakness may occur and abnormalities such as temperature differences between the left and right sides of the body may occur.
Treatments
Doctors treat spinal stenosis with different options such as nonsurgical treatments, medications, and surgical treatments.
Non-surgical treatment
• Physical therapy to maintain motion of the spine, strengthen abdominal and back muscles, and build endurance, all of which help stabilize the spine. You may be encouraged to try slowly progressive aerobic activity, such as swimming or using exercise bicycles. In addition, your physical therapist or health care provider may recommend home exercises.
• A brace to provide some support and help you regain mobility. This approach is sometimes used for people with weak abdominal muscles or older patients with age-related changes at several levels of the spine.
• Complementary and alternative treatments that may help relieve pain. Some examples include:
o Manipulation of the spine and nearby tissues. Professionals use their hands to adjust and massage the spine and muscles.
o Acupuncture, which is a Chinese practice that uses thin needles that may relieve pain in some patients.
Surgical treatments
If, after trying nonsurgical treatments and medications, you still have symptoms, your doctor may recommend meeting with a surgeon to talk about surgery. However, doctors may recommend surgery right away if you have numbness or weakness that interferes with walking, impaired bowel or bladder function, or other neurological involvement.
The decision to have surgery depends on:
• How nonsurgical treatments have helped your symptoms.
• The amount of pain you feel.
• Other diseases and conditions you may have.
• Your overall health.
• Whether your specific spinal anatomy is amenable to surgery.
However, not everyone is a candidate for surgery, even if symptoms persist. In addition, your surgeon will review the risks and possible benefits of the surgery or procedure.
Surgeons can relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, and restore spine alignment and health by performing surgery. Possible surgeries include:
• Laminectomy is a surgery that doctors perform to treat spinal stenosis by removing the bony spurs and the bone walls of the vertebrae. This helps to open up the spinal column and remove the pressure on the nerves. Doctors may perform a discectomy during a laminectomy. A discectomy involves removing part of the herniated disk to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root. A facetectomy involves removing part or all of a facet joint to relieve pressure.
• Spinal fusion is a surgery that helps treat age-related changes to the spine and spondylolisthesis by joining two or more vertebrae in the spine that have slipped from their normal position. During this procedure, the surgeon may remove the disk between the vertebrae and uses bone grafts or metal devices to secure bones together.
• Minimally invasive surgery is a type of surgery that uses smaller incisions than standard surgery. Minimally invasive surgery may cause less scarring and damage to nearby muscles and other tissues. It can lead to less pain and faster recovery after surgery.
Removing and repairing the areas of spine that are creating pressure usually helps decrease symptoms. Most people have less leg pain and can walk better after surgery. However, if nerves were badly damaged before surgery, there may be some remaining pain or numbness or no improvement. Also, the degenerative process may continue, and pain or limitation of activity may reappear after surgery.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following medications to help manage the pain and inflammation caused by spinal stenosis:
• Anti–inflammatory medications to help relieve inflammation and pain.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
• Prescription pain relievers for severe or acute pain.
• Anti-inflammatory or numbing injections for pain that radiates or travels due to nerve compression or irritation.
Safety measures.
Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs or CT scans can provide a clear picture of the narrowing and help determine its location and severity. MRIs, in particular, provide detailed images of the tissue, allowing doctors to see if the narrowed tube is pressing on the spinal cord or nerves. Weight, location and specific symptoms. Initial treatment such as physiotherapy , chiropractic or acupuncture is usually conservative, focusing on reducing symptoms and increasing mobility without surgery. These options include:
Who treats spinal stenosis?
Doctors who can provide treatment of spinal stenosis may be:
• Family or primary care doctors.
• Neurologists, who treat disorders and diseases of the spine, brain, and nerves.
• Neurosurgeons, who perform surgery for disorders and diseases of spine, brain, and nerves.
• Orthopaedists, who treat and perform surgery for bone and joint diseases.
• Pain specialists, who are physicians including anesthesiologists with specialized training in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of different types of pain.
• Physiatrists, who specialize in physical and rehabilitation medicine.
• Physical therapists, who specialize in movement and strengthening muscles.
• Rheumatologists, who specialize in treating musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune disorders.
Physical therapy
Exercises designed to strengthen the muscles around the spine and increase flexibility can reduce pressure on the spine, reduce pain and increase mobility or muscle relaxants can reduce inflammation and pain.
Modifications
Avoiding activities that worsen symptoms and adjusting your posture or body movements can help reduce stress on your spine. Leaning forward while walking or sitting will temporarily relieve symptoms as it opens up part of the spine.
Laminectomy
This surgery removes part of the vertebrae to create space in the spine and reduce the height of the spine or blood vessels. In this surgery, part of the vertebrae are surgically reconstructed and widened to reduce pressure on the spine. In cases where the cervix is unstable.
Surgery can be risky but can be very effective, especially for severely ill patients. However, not all patients with stenosis need surgery, and many find relief with medical treatment alone. The progression of the disease varies, and early treatment can prevent negative symptoms. Delay in treatment, especially with cervical stenosis, will cause irreversible damage.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/10895-laminectomy
Where can you seek help from?
Located in Manchester, MY Sports Injury is a leading physiotherapy clinic offering expert care for a wide range of health conditions.
Our team of experienced practitioners specializes in sports chiropractic care, sports physiotherapy, injury rehabilitation, corrective exercises, low back programs, and acupuncture. With a state-of-the-art facility and a multidisciplinary approach, we deliver seamless, integrated treatments that ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Comprehensive Treatments for Spinal Stenosis
For those suffering from spinal stenosis, our clinic provides tailored treatments designed to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and restore function. Through a combination of physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and specialized rehabilitation programs, we can help you get back on track toward a healthier, more active life.
Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, dealing with chronic pain, or looking for effective rehabilitation, MY Sports Injury is here to support your recovery journey with the latest techniques and personalized care. Book An Online Appointment Now visit www.mysportsinjury.co.uk or call 0161 243 1168