{"id":4013,"date":"2019-02-18T08:34:32","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T08:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=4013"},"modified":"2021-05-27T13:35:31","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:35:31","slug":"14-symptoms-of-spinal-stenosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-symptoms-of-spinal-stenosis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes neck pain and a number of other related issues such as tingling. Because these symptoms are in common with a host of other similar conditions, it\u2019s very easy for sufferers to miss that they may have this condition. Not only that, but in a number of cases, stenosis actually doesn\u2019t present with any symptoms at all \u2013 therefore making it very easy to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IN this post, we\u2019re going to take a more in-depth look at spinal stenosis and the most obvious symptoms. This way you can hopefully spot it early, and that way help to avoid some of the more serious symptoms that develop with time \u2013 the ones that are very difficult to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pain in the Spine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common type of stenosis is lumbar stenosis. This is narrowing of the bones in the lower back, around the area just above your buttocks. This creates pain in that area, which is known as sciatica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many different potential causes for sciatica<\/a>, including poor posture, bad sleeping habits, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, the pain is being caused by the narrowing of the spinal column which is reducing the amount of space for the nerves to travel through. This, in turn, squeezes those nerves, causing irritation and pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s useful to keep in mind is that stenosis and many other forms of sciatica are normally not felt only <\/em>in the lower back, but also in the buttocks, and also in the legs. This is called \u2018referred pain\u2019 and in this case happens because the nerves traveling through that part of the back run all the way down to the feet. You might also find for this reason that you feel intense cramping as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whereas a slipped disc will heal over time, and whereas a trauma might include some swelling, stenosis will be ongoing with little relief from movement and no obvious signs of injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Numbness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Numbness <\/a>is another symptom linked with all kinds of different nerve damage. This happens because the nerve is not only responsible for sending signals to <\/em>the feet and arms in order to move them, but also for receiving signals from those areas in order to provide spatial information for the brain and in order to relay pain and coordinate movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Numbness felt in the spine, therefore, is possibly due to the nerves no longer effectively doing their job and delivering their signals, and this can also cause issues with receiving signals from other parts of the body too. You may find that when you touch your leg or arm, you don\u2019t feel the sensation with the same clarity or resolution that you normally might. If you\u2019re still unsure what that is like, then try to think back to the last time that you got a dead leg from sitting in the same position too long, or from being kicked there \u2013 it\u2019s a similar sensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several other things that might also lead to numbness in these areas, including slipped disc, low vitamin B12, or growth. If you notice persistent numbness, you should always be checked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Tingling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tingling <\/a>sensations are also commonly associated with spinal stenosis, for the very same reason as numbness. Once more, the signal that would normally travel from the leg or arm, through the spine, and to the brain, is being interrupted and scrambled. This results in it being harder to make out, and instead of a clear feeling of being touched, you now have a kind of fuzzy, \u2018buzzing\u2019 sensation instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice tingling like this, then again it could also be linked with a host of other problems \u2013 such as low vitamin B12 or even diabetes \u2013 both of which also affect the function of your nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tingling will most often be felt in the arms and legs but could occur anywhere. Look out for a very low-level change early on, as this could be a useful forewarning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Muscle Weakness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your muscles <\/a>are only as strong as the signals from your brain. If the brain isn\u2019t able to send strong signals to the muscle, then you won\u2019t be able to lift as much because you won\u2019t be \u2018recruiting\u2019 as much muscle fiber. In athletics and weightlifting, this is sometimes referred to as the \u2018mind-body connection\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of spinal stenosis, the signal might be impaired to the point where the body is no longer getting a strong impulse to move. The result is that while you might still be able to move your limbs, you won\u2019t necessarily be able to do so with the same strength or determination as you otherwise would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Poor Coordination<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For all the same reasons as the other symptoms <\/a>on this list, spinal stenosis can also cause a loss of coordination. This happens as you become less able to engage the muscles and control them, and as you become less able to feel the feedback necessary for dextrous tasks such as walking, picking things up, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might, therefore, find that your coordination is lost when you have this problem and that you start to make mistakes. It\u2019s very important to ensure that you keep an eye on this symptom if it is developing and that you take the necessary breaks from activities that could potentially be dangerous if you lost control. Things like driving, lifting heavy weights, or using dangerous tools is not advisable when you notice a loss of coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Pain in the Neck<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pain <\/a>in the neck is also commonly associated with spinal stenosis. Whereas lumbar stenosis is stenosis affecting the lower back, in particular, cervical stenosis is stenosis that affects the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has a lot in common with spondylosis, which is a condition that likewise causes the nerves in the neck to become irritated. In spondylosis, the nerves are irritated by wear and tear of the intervertebral discs that live in between the vertebrae. These discs have the job of keeping the vertebrae apart and thereby preventing them from rubbing on each other and grinding each other down. At the same time, they also help to create more space between the vertebrae such that nerves and blood vessels can travel through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being able to tell the difference between these two conditions is difficult, but either way, you should speak with your physician to have the issue addressed as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Difficulty Walking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While some people will find that they have no obvious symptoms from spinal stenosis, others will find that they have very pronounced and serious problems as a result of the condition. One of the most serious of these is difficulty walking. You might find that coordinating your movements becomes very difficult and you, therefore, struggle to put one foot in front of the other with the necessary rhythm and strength <\/a>to avoid falling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is then made worse by a combination of muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling \u2013 which interfere with the feedback you would normally use in order gauge such things as the angle of the floor and the speed at which you are walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim here is to try and identify this problem and address it before it gets to this point. Look out for other symptoms and you might never deal with problems walking, or the other highly unpleasant related symptom: loss of bladder and bowel control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Dizziness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, stenosis may also cause dizziness<\/a>. This occurs because the blood vessels traveling to the brain are also interrupted, thereby preventing the brain from getting its usual supply of blood and oxygen. With that missing, you might then find that your brain becomes starved and you begin to feel weak and dizzy. You might also find yourself feeling very tired, or confused. Of course, this can also further exacerbate your issues with walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is possible that they might be linked with other, more serious conditions. For these reasons, it is paramount that you get seen by your physician quickly so they can tell you with certainty what the problem is, and what the best course of action is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Cramping in the Legs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with spinal stenosis experience degeneration in the vertebrae <\/a>and discs of the spine, resulting in a slow collapse of the supportive structure. The lumbar region, (the lower back,) is a superhighway of nerves extending to the lower limbs, and any changes in the integrity of the lumbar spine result in sensations of numbness, tingling, and pain in the legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the vertebrae and discs erode, they may trap nerves, resulting in cramping. It\u2019s important to note that this is an early warning sign of the condition. Patients who experience this symptom will notice that it steadily progresses until the cramps fade, and they start to experience weakness or numbness in the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cramping may be worse after standing for extended periods, and the patient may experience relief by sitting or lying down to relieve the pressure on their lower back. Patients rely on prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatories to remove symptoms of pain and swelling related to the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Bowel or Bladder Dysfunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When spinal stenosis starts to erode the vertebrae and cartilage <\/a>in the lumbar spine, it results in trapped nerves, which may cause sensations of numbness in the legs. However, this type of nerve damage is not limited to the lower body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases of spinal; stenosis, the discs may trap nerves leading to the bladder. As a result, the patient starts to notice signs of an increase in the urgency to urinate. Nerve signal disruption affects the prostate as well, resulting in a loss of efficiency that leads to the development of urinary incontinence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these conditions only occur in severe cases, it can mean that the patient has to spend the rest of their life using a catheter or colostomy bag. The patient may also require managed care in the later stages of the disease. Moreover, they may experience a worsening in their symptoms that leaves them unable to control bladder or bowel function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Bulging Disc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This spinal disorder occurs when spinal stenosis erodes the vertebrae and cartilage, resulting in a leaking of fluid from the disc toward the edge of the vertebrae, causing inflammation<\/a>. Patients with bulging discs, experience pain symptoms that may leave them, bed-ridden, depending on the extent of the injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the course of many years, patients with spinal stenosis experience a decline in the health of the spine. As a result, they may develop a bulged disc in any of these areas. However, the lumbar and thoracic are usually the areas at the highest risk of developing the injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients may develop a bulged disc from picking up heavy objects, or they may experience an injury that causes the herniation. In most cases, if the patient receives immediate treatment, the patient may recover. However, patients in the advanced stages of spinal stenosis may not be able to recover from this type of injury to the spine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Sciatica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sciatic nerve<\/a> passes through the hip and extends to the lower lumbar region of the spine. Patients who experience sciatica have a tight piriformis muscle that traps the nerve as it passes through the hip. As a result, the patient feels shooting pains come from their buttocks down the back of the leg toward the knee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While patients with spinal stenosis may not experience any deformity of the hip structure, they may develop complications with the sciatic nerve, trapping it between vertebrae and discs. As a result, the patient feels a similar pain to those dealing with traditional sciatica. However, the pain experienced by spinal stenosis may be far more severe than conventional sciatica, and it may last for much longer as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The standard treatment for traditional sciatica is to stretch the piriformis muscle, releasing the tension on the nerve. However, patients with spinal stenosis may not gain any relief from the sciatica pain by stretching this muscle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Degenerative Bone Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over 27-million Americans suffer from a degenerative bone disease known as osteoarthritis. Patients with this condition experience slow leaching of the calcium in their bones into the bloodstream<\/a>. As a result, bone density in the patient drops significantly, making them a high risk for breaking bones during falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This disease is most common in people over the age of 65-years old. Seniors experience a slowdown in protein synthesis that limits the production of collagen. Collagen is the protein responsible for building strong, healthy bones. When the body has less calcium and collagen available in the bloodstream, bone health begins to decline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spinal stenosis may greatly exacerbate symptoms of the degenerative bone disease, especially in those patients who are suffering from spondylosis- a degeneration of the lumbar spine. The spondylosis may cause accelerated degradation of the vertebrae and disc, resulting in trapped nerves in the lower back that may lead to further complications in the lower limbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Scoliosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When spinal stenosis reaches its advanced stages, the vertebrae and discs may trap nerves leading to the lower limbs, leading to changes in posture and gait. However, the neurological damage to nerves in the spine may also start the onset of a spinal disorder known as \u201cscoliosis<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scoliosis describes abnormal curvature in the spine, where it loses its shape. Patients with scoliosis find that their spine takes on an \u201cS,\u201d or \u201cC,\u201d form. According to research published by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), around 20-percent of scoliosis cases occur due to neurological disorders, like those produced by advanced spinal stenosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition, and patients must rely on physiotherapists to slow the progression of the disease, and help them maintain their mobility as the neurological damage to the lower limbs continues to advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories to manage the symptoms, but there is no surgical procedure that can reverse the disorder. Patients must learn to come to terms with the effects of the disease on their quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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