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Spinal Stenosis Causes
Spinal stenosis is a term that describes a narrowing or constricting in the spine, specifically of the spinal canal and/or foramen in the vertebrae through which nerve roots pass. This narrowing, when it becomes severe enough, can put pressure on the spinal cord itself as well as nerve roots exiting the spinal canal through the foramen. Although in many cases this condition does not cause any symptoms, and many people don’t even realize they have it, when it becomes severe enough, it can result in pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and more in the back, arms, torso, legs, and/or feet.
Spinal stenosis causes can include:
- Swollen ligaments
- Bulging disc
- Herniated disc
- Arthritis
- Degenerative disc
- More
Spinal stenosis causes vary widely, and oftentimes the true culprit behind the condition is actually a combination of issues. While this makes finding a diagnosis difficult, it's certainly not impossible, and diagnostic testing as well as a physical examination from your doctor can provide the information needed to develop an effective treatment plan.
Treatments for Spinal Stenosis Causes
Once you have determined the spinal stenosis causes that give you symptoms, the next step is finding the appropriate treatment for them. While the best treatment for your stenosis depends on several factors, there are a number of techniques that are often successful in treating the condition including:
- Epidural cortisone injections
- Anti inflammatory medicines
- Pain medication
- Stretching
- Rest
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- Hot/cold compresses