Spinal stenosis | what is it?
Stenosis means ‘narrowing’ and in the spine this can cause increased pressure to fall on the nerves that travel from the spine to the legs or arms (depending on where the narrowing is). This can cause pain, tingling, numbness and even muscle weakness. Spinal stenosis is invariably an age-related problem because the condition is very much linked with ‘wear and tear’ changes in the spine known as spondylosis. You can more about other causes for low back pain here.
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
Usually the symptoms are mild to start with but can progress to quite disabling symptoms if left untreated. Spinal stenosis commonly affects the lower back and the symptoms include:
– Pain in the lower back.
– Burning pain or ache that radiates down the buttocks and into both legs. (Pain in both legs is a striking and unusual feature that must be reported). This typically worsens with standing or walking and gets better with leaning forward or sitting down.
– Numbness, tingling, or cramping in the legs and feet. These may become more pronounced during standing or walking.
– Weakness in the legs and feet.
Less commonly spinal stenosis can affect the neck and symptoms here may include:
– Neck pain
– Numbness or tingling that radiates down the arms into the hands.
– Weakness in the hand, arm or fingers.
What is the treatment for spinal stenosis?
The one thing that reliably relieves the symptoms is sitting down or flexing forwards although the relief can be quite temporary and is rarely an adequate management option!
Patients with spinal stenosis symptoms can be managed effectively with physiotherapy and exercise. Manual therapy can be effective in mobilising the spine and relieving pain. A physio-led exercise programme (particularly incline walking) can strengthen the lower back and increase its capacity.
In some cases the symptoms can worsen over time. More severe cases may require decompression surgery which creates some additional space for the spinal cord or nerves, thereby alleviating the symptoms.
If you’re suffering from low back pain and suspect you have has stenosis, click here to book an appointment for a comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment plan.
