When should you see a doctor for back pain?

What is spinal stenosis?

The vertebral canal is the bony cavity that runs the length of the spinal column and contains the spinal cord. Nerves exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae and surround the body, providing movement and sensation. Spinal stenosis develops when the volume of the bony cavity is reduced for some reason, so the channel narrows. The effect of the constriction on the spinal nerves are put under pressure and can cause painful symptoms. Depending on the degree of spinal stenosis and the degree of nerve damage, symptoms can be mild or severe.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

The main symptom of spinal stenosis is dull pain in the affected part of the spine - most often the lumbar spine or the cervical section. The pain is typically chronic and can increase with exertion (for example, when walking or sitting for long periods of time), and can even become sharp and shooting. The pain is usually accompanied by numbness which is associated with can radiate towards the limbs. Muscle weakness, sensory disturbance, difficulty walking, loss of balance and, in more severe cases, incontinence and defecation. If the latter are felt, immediate specialist medical attention is required as these are symptoms that indicate surgical intervention.

What causes spinal stenosis?

The spinal canal can narrow for several reasons. A most often caused by degeneration of the intervertebral discs, but spinal stenosis can also be caused by other spinal problems:

• Hernia of the cervical spine, disc herniations.
• Bony calcification of the vertebrae.
• Degeneration and thickening of joints and ligaments.
• Injury to the vertebral column, severe impact, trauma.
• A tumour or cyst.

Risk factors

Spinal stenosis in general Age 50 but it is possible that it may occur at a younger age.

How can spinal stenosis be treated?

The treatment options for spinal stenosis depend on the location, extent of the stenosis, the underlying cause and, most importantly, the degree of nerve damage caused. The primary aim of the treatment is to release the nerve under pressure. To do this, first conservative - i.e. non-surgical treatment methods.

Complex conservative therapy includes pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication: this can be done by topical steroid injection, oral prescription and non-prescription medicines. In addition to medication, other pain relief treatments may be recommended: for example, a course of medical collagen injections, and physiotherapy (safe laser, ultrasound, electrotherapy). After the acute pain is relieved, regular, special physiotherapy exercises are recommended to stabilize the spine and strengthen the deep muscles. It is worth incorporating regular exercise and sport into your daily life, swimming for example is very useful for treating back pain. In the diet, try to eat as many vegetables and fruits as possible and foods high in calcium, magnesium, chondroitin and vitamin D. Drinking plenty of water is also recommended to prevent degeneration of cartilage and discs.

If conservative therapy is not effective or symptoms require immediate intervention (e.g. urinary/faecal dysfunction, paralysis) surgery needed. Surgical solution of spinal stenosis neurosurgeon specialist will be carried out by. Physiotherapy and physiotherapy also play a key role in post-operative rehabilitation.

Common complaints treated by specialists at the Spine Centre

• back pain
• back pain
• scoliosis
• nerve pinching
• back pain
• neck pain
• stiff neck - neck stiffness
• osteoporosis
• back pain
• spinal stenosis
• back pain
• pain in the lumbar spine
• pain in the buttocks
• neglect
• sacral pain
• shoulder blade pain
• morning backache
• pain in the back of the neck