Any form of discomfort in our bodies not only disrupts our daily physical activity, but its also detrimental to our mental health. From the type of work we do to the way we study, predominantly it's done in front of a desk. We frequently spend hours at work hunched over, exerting more pressure on our backbone without knowing its future consequences. It may lead to various spinal problems such as spinal fractures, spinal deformity and spinal infection which are very commonly known. Spinal stenosis is a form of spinal issue which is least known by many.
Spinal stenosis is where the Pressure is placed on the nerves that pass through the spinal canal as it becomes smaller. While acquired spinal stenosis develops over time, congenital spinal stenosis occurs at birth. Spine surgeons warn that if the problem is not addressed quickly, it could lead to spinal deformity and many more. Continue reading to find out more about this condition and how patients can take control of their health from the top Spine Surgeon in Chennai.
Facts to know:
One in 100,000 people develop cervical stenosis. Approximately 5 in 100,000 people have lumbar stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a result of ageing. People above 50 are most likely to develop spinal stenosis. On an average ,around 2,50,000 -5,00,000 people shows Stenosis symptoms says spine surgeons It’s impossible to avoid spinal stenosis through diet, exercise, or way of life
Types of Spinal Stenosis
The three main types of spinal stenosis - Central Canal Stenosis, Lateral Recesses Stenosis, and Foraminal Stenosis can occur in any part of the spine.
** Central Canal Stenosis:** In the spinal cord's passageway, the middle ring of the spinal vertebrae narrows due to central stenosis. The conus medullaris, which is located around the second level of the lumbar spine, is where the spinal cord ends after starting at the cervical spine and passing through the thoracic spine. As much movement occurs in the cervical and lumbar regions, central canal stenosis is most frequently found there.
** Lateral Recesses Stenosis:**
Before opening, the lateral fossa constricts around the canals through which the nerves pass. The nerve develops right next to the spinal cord in the lateral fossa before passing through the foramen. The nerve that arises from the spinal cord and supplies motor function to the arms, legs, and trunk is affected by this kind of stenosis.
Foraminal Stenosis:
The openings, or vertebrae, through which nerves leave the spinal cord and travel to the left or right of the body are constricted by foraminal stenosis. They give the hands, feet, and body motor and sensory stimulation. Because these two regions of the spine are involved in movement and the latter also supports the weight of the body, foraminal stenosis most frequently affects the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine. The most typical type of spinal stenosis is this one.
**Diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis **
Spinal stenosis can occur at any stage of life. Doctors identify them using a variety of techniques, including:
Family History: If the spine surgeon suspects you have cervical stenosis, he may ask you about your family history.
**Physical Examination: **The doctor looks at things like your range of motion, the strength and flexibility of your arms and legs, how painful it’s for you to bend your back, and other things. Image based Test: The doctor may request you to undergo an X-ray, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or computer-based tomography if he finds it difficult to diagnose your condition.
Treatments of Spinal Stenosis
Physical therapy and surgery are both options for treating spinal stenosis. The surgeon recommends the one which is needed for you.
**Lifestyle Modification: **Smoking and gaining weight are two lifestyle choices that can raise the risk of spinal stenosis. Exercise and a low-calorie diet can help you lose weight, which can ease spinal stenosis symptoms and relieve pressure on the spine.
Manual therapies: Acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage are few of the manual therapies they work on the spine by putting hands on it, The muscles that surround the spine and those in the arms and legs that have radiating symptoms can be massaged or corrected to ease the pain.
Steroid Injections: By injecting a specific amount of steroids or anti-inflammatory drugs into the spine, epidural steroid injections reduce pain. When a fracture places pressure on a nerve, the nerve and the tissues around it swell and hurt.
** The Surgical options include: **
**Laminectomy Foraminotomy Spinal fusion Laminoplasty Minimally invasive surgery
Heat Pads and ice packs also relieve the pain. ****
Conclusion: The spine is the most ideal part of our body. They enhance your quality of life, hence it's extremely important to watch even the slightest changes. Why postpone your appointment with the top Spine Surgeon in Chennai when we are here to help you.