Spinal stenosis is a condition that typically occurs with age. Arthritis, the formation of bone spurs and the breakdown of ligaments all cause the spinal canal to shrink. The spinal canal is a tunnel-like structure that houses the spinal cord and nerves. In those with spinal stenosis, the spinal canal contracts and compresses the nerves and spinal cord. This compression on nerves creates symptoms that make if difficult to function. However, therapy can help you deal with the symptoms.
Surgery
Designing a proper treatment plan is dependent upon a proper diagnosis of the condition and the severity of your symptoms. Proper diagnosis is done through a variety of imaging tests. These tests include an MRI, CT scan, myelogram and x-rays. Your symptoms will ultimately be the deciding factor in the proper treatment of spinal stenosis. Those patients with severe symptoms will often have no choice but to undergo surgery to reduce the compression and alleviate the symptoms.
According to Spine Universe, a decompressive laminectomy is the surgery most often recommended in the treatment of spinal stenosis. This surgical procedure involves the removal of the "roof" or top of the vertebra in order to relieve the pressure on the nerves.
Other recommended procedures, according to Spine Universe, involve removal of one or more discs to relieve pressure, or the use of screws to support the spine and prevent discs and vertebrae from causing pressure on the nerves.
Non-Surgcal Treatments
Those with minor to moderate symptoms can resort to other more non-invasive methods of treatment, including physical therapy and exercise. Corticosteroid injections may be used to provide relief from pain and reduce inflammation that causes pressure on the nerves. Often, these steroid injections will be used in conjunction with a comprehensive physical therapy program involving a series of exercises to strengthen the spine.
Alternative Therapies
Therapy administered to patients suffering from spinal stenosis can include deep tissue massage, hot and cold therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and ultrasound. These methods of therapy are often considered alternative therapy and, as such, few reliable medical studies confirm their efficacy in the treatment of spinal stenosis. Still, Spine Universe reports that patients have experienced success with these treatments, especially when used in conjunctions with steroids and physical therapy.
Tags: physical therapy, pressure nerves, spinal canal, spinal stenosis, Spine Universe