| | | | | magnetic waves rather than X-rays to show the |
| Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis | | | | soft tissues of the body... |
| Stenosis means closing in. Spinal stenosis describes | | | | |
| a condition in which the nerves in the spinal canal | | | | 4 ] CT Scan : - Computed tomography (a CT |
| are closed in, or compressed. The spinal canal is | | | | scan) may be ordered. The CT scan is a detailed |
| the hollow tube formed by the bones of the | | | | X-ray that lets your doctor see slices of bone |
| spinal column. Anything that causes this bony tube | | | | tissue.. |
| to shrink can squeeze the nerves inside... | | | | |
| | | | | 5 ] EMG (Electromyogram) : - When the diagnosis |
| What part of the back is involved? | | | | is still not clear, doctors may recommend electrical |
| 1 ] Vertebrae and Spinal Column : - The human | | | | tests of the nerves that go to the legs and feet... |
| spine is made up of 24 spinal bones, called | | | | |
| vertebrae. Vertebrae are stacked on top of one | | | | 6 ] SSEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential) : - |
| another to create the spinal column. The spinal | | | | Doctors may also order a somatosensory |
| column gives the body its form. It is the body's | | | | evoked potential (SSEP) test to locate more |
| main upright support... | | | | precisely where the spinal nerves are being |
| | | | | squeezed... |
| 2 ] Spinal Canal and Spinal Cord : - The back | | | | |
| portion of the spinal column forms a bony ring. | | | | 7 ] Blood Tests : - Not all causes of spinal stenosis |
| When the vertebrae are stacked on top of each | | | | are from degenerative conditions. Doctors use |
| other, these bony rings create a hollow tube. This | | | | blood tests to determine whether symptoms are |
| bony tube, called the spinal canal, surrounds the | | | | coming from other conditions, such as arthritis or |
| spinal cord as it passes through the spine... | | | | infection.... |
| | | | | |
| 3 ] Intervertebral Disc : - An intervertebral disc | | | | Treatment |
| fits between each vertebral body and provides a | | | | |
| space between the spine bones. The disc normally | | | | What treatment options are available? |
| works like a shock absorber.. | | | | Nonsurgical Treatment |
| | | | | 1 ] Immobilization : - At first, doctors may |
| Causes of Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis | | | | prescribe ways to immobilize the spine. Keeping |
| | | | | the back still for a short time can calm |
| Why do I have this problem? | | | | inflammation and pain... |
| In the lumbar spine, the spinal canal usually has | | | | 2 ] Lumbar Support : - A lumbar support belt or |
| more than enough room for the spinal nerves. | | | | corset may be prescribed, though their benefits |
| The canal is normally 17 to 18 millimeters around, | | | | are controversial. The support can limit pressure in |
| slightly smaller than a penny. Spinal stenosis | | | | the discs and prevent extra movement in the |
| develops when the canal shrinks to 12 millimeters | | | | spine... |
| or less. When the size drops below 10 millimeters, | | | | 3 ] Medications : - Doctors sometimes prescribe |
| severe symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis | | | | medication for patients with spinal stenosis. |
| occur. | | | | Patients may be prescribed anti-inflammatory |
| There are many reasons why symptoms of | | | | medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory |
| spinal stenosis develop. Some of the more | | | | drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin... |
| common reasons include : - | | | | 4 ] Injections : - Some patients are given an |
| 1 ] Congenital Stenosis : - Some people are born | | | | epidural steroid injection (ESI). The spinal cord is |
| with (congenital) a spinal canal that is narrower | | | | covered by a material called dura. The space |
| than normal. They may not feel problems early in | | | | between the dura and the spinal column is called |
| life. However, having a narrow spinal canal puts | | | | the epidural space... |
| them at risk for stenosis. .. | | | | 5 ] Therapy and Exercise : - Patients often work |
| | | | | with a physical therapist. By evaluating your |
| 2 ] Degeneration : - Degeneration is the most | | | | condition, your therapist can assign positions and |
| common cause of spinal stenosis. Wearand tear | | | | exercises to ease your symptoms. Your therapist |
| on the spine from aging and from repeated | | | | may suggest using traction. Traction is a common |
| stresses and strains can cause many problems in | | | | treatment for stenosis. It gently stretches the |
| the lumbar spine... | | | | low back, taking pressure off the spinal nerves... |
| | | | | |
| 3 ] Spinal Instability : - Spinal instability can cause | | | | B ] Surgery of Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis |
| spinal stenosis. Spinal instability means that the | | | | If the symptoms you feel are mild and there is |
| bones of the spine move more than they should. | | | | no danger they'll get worse, surgery is not usually |
| Instability in the lumbar spine can develop if the | | | | recommended. |
| supporting ligaments have been stretched or torn | | | | The main surgical procedures used to treat spinal |
| from a severe back injury... | | | | stenosis are : |
| | | | | 1 ] Lumbar Laminectomy : - The lamina is the |
| 4 ] Disc Herniation : - Spinal stenosis can occur | | | | covering layer of the bony ring of the spinal |
| when an intervertebral disc in the low back | | | | column. It forms a roof-like structure over the |
| herniates (ruptures). Normally, the shock-absorbing | | | | back of the spinal canal. When the nerves in the |
| disc is able to handle the downward pressure of | | | | spinal canal are being squeezed by a herniated disc |
| gravity and the strain from daily activities... | | | | or bone spurs, a lumbar laminectomy removes |
| | | | | the entire lamina to release pressure on the spinal |
| Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis | | | | nerves. This is the primary type of surgery used |
| | | | | for lumbar spinal stenosis... |
| What does the spinal stenosis feel like? | | | | |
| Spinal stenosis usually develops slowly over a long | | | | 2 ] Posterior Lumbar Fusion : - A posterior lumbar |
| period of time. This is because the main cause of | | | | fusion may be needed after a surgeon performs |
| spinal stenosis is spinal degeneration in later life. | | | | a lumbar laminectomy. The fusion procedure is |
| | | | | recommended when a spinal segment has |
| 1 ] Pain and Weakness in Legs : - Patients with | | | | become loose or unstable... |
| stenosis don't always feel back pain. Primarily, | | | | |
| they have pain and weakness in their legs, usually | | | | Rehabilitation |
| in both legs at the same time... | | | | Even if you don't need surgery, your doctor may |
| | | | | recommend that you work with a physical or |
| 2 ] Affected Sensation / Slow Reflexes : - | | | | occupational therapist. Patients are normally seen |
| Symptoms mainly affect sensation in the lower | | | | a few times each week for one to two months. |
| limbs. Nerve pressure from stenosis can cause a | | | | In severe cases, patients may need a few |
| feeling of pins and needles in the skin where the | | | | additional weeks of care... |
| spinal nerves travel... | | | | |
| | | | | After Surgery |
| Diagnosis of Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis | | | | After surgery, surgeons may have their patients |
| | | | | work with a physical or occupational therapist. |
| How do doctors diagnose the problem ? | | | | Patients who've had fusion surgery normally need |
| Diagnosis begins with a complete history and | | | | to wait two to three months before beginning a |
| physical examination. Your doctor will ask | | | | rehabilitation program. They will probably need to |
| questions about your symptoms and how your | | | | attend therapy sessions for six to eight weeks |
| problem is affecting your daily activities... | | | | and should expect full recovery to take up to six |
| 1 ] Physical Examination : - The doctor does a | | | | months... |
| physical examination to see which back | | | | |
| movements cause pain or other symptoms. Your | | | | Please log on to : |
| skin sensation, muscle strength, and reflexes are | | | | Send your query : Get a Quote |
| also tested... | | | | |
| | | | | We Care Core Values |
| 2 ] X-rays : - X-rays can show if the problems | | | | We have a very simple business model that |
| are from changes in the bones of the spine. The | | | | keeps you as the centre. |
| images can show if degeneration has caused the | | | | Having the industry’s most elaborate and |
| space between the vertebrae to collapse. X-rays | | | | exclusive Patient Care and Clinical Coordination |
| may also show any bone spurs sticking into the | | | | teams stationed at each partner hospital, we |
| spinal canal... | | | | provide you the smoothest and seamless care |
| | | | | ever imagined. With a ratio of one Patient Care |
| 3 ] MRI : - When more information is needed, | | | | Manager to five patients our patient care |
| your doctor may order a magnetic resonance | | | | standards are unmatched across the sub |
| imaging (MRI) scan. The MRI machine uses | | | | continent. |