Downtown Spine, Sports & Orthopedic Rehabilitation P.C.
65 Broadway / 47 Trinity Place, Suite 603 New York, NY 10006. (212) 422-1111
65 Broadway / 47 Trinity Place, Suite 603 New York, NY 10006. (212) 422-1111
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Symptoms and treatment of lumbar stenosis
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Call now for your consultation:
(212) 422-1111
Downtown Spine, Sports & Orthopedic Rehabilitation P.C.
65 Broadway / 47 Trinity Place, Suite 603
(Between Wall Street & Exchange Place)
New York, NY 10006
Fill out the New Patient Form
(212) 422-1111
Downtown Spine, Sports & Orthopedic Rehabilitation P.C.
65 Broadway / 47 Trinity Place, Suite 603
(Between Wall Street & Exchange Place)
New York, NY 10006
Fill out the New Patient Form
Symptoms
The most common symptom of lumbar stenosis is pain in the legs. Sometimes people have what is called "neurogenic claudication" pain, which is the heavy feeling, pain or cramps in the legs when walking. Claudication pain gets worse when you are walking and relieved by sitting or lying down. It can be caused by poor circulation in the legs (vascular claudication) or spinal stenosis. The pain of claudication in lumbar stenosis is usually so relieved by bending or stooping.
People with lumbar stenosis can also be a "radicular pain" or pain radiating down one or both legs, also known as sciatica. Other sensory abnormalities caused by lumbar stenosis include tingling, heaviness or numbness in the toes and legs. Motor abnormalities include weakness in one or both legs and difficulty walking.
In rare cases, cause severe lumbar stenosis "syndrome of the cauda equina." The spinal cord ends in the lower back and is divided into several nerves. The nerves continue along the spinal canal and output pairs between the vertebrae. lumbar stenosis, compressing the cauda equina can cause "saddle anesthesia" or loss of feeling, where you will be sitting on a stool incontinence, bladder or bowel and sexual dysfunction. It is considered a medical emergency, since only a very large herniated disc or other serious problems can cause the syndrome of the cauda equina.
Treatment
Therapies, and lumbar stenosis can be divided into three categories: conservative, surgical, and alternative.
Conservative treatment includes anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and painkillers. Physical therapy is often helpful for improving pain and mobility. If pain persists, you may receive cortisone injections or anesthesia. Anesthetic injections or nerve blocks, usually give some pain relief. Cortisone injections appear to be less effective.
Chiropractic, massage and acupuncture are alternative treatments. They provide excellent pain relief in some people.
Surgery is usually a laminectomy, or eliminating some of the bones surrounding the spinal canal, to a greater openness to the nerves. Sometimes a spinal fusion is performed also to stabilize the vertebrae and prevent slippage and nerve compression.
Many people, especially those who are elderly or have other health risks, take advantage of the minimally invasive surgery for lumbar stenosis. The surgeon sees the lumbar spine with an endoscope and microscope using microsurgical techniques to repair specific. Endoscopic surgery is less invasive and better tolerated than traditional surgery.