SPINAL STENOSIS

DEFINITION

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually due to the natural process of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis, or a tumor. Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical spine, the lumbar spine or both. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) results in low back pain as well as pain or abnormal sensations in the legs.

The main causes of cervical spinal stenosis (CSS) include cervical spondylosis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), or calcification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

CSS is more common in males than females, and is mainly found in the 40-60 year age group.

Signs of CSS include spastic gait; upper extremity numbness; upper extremity, lower extremity weakness or both; radicular pain in the upper limb; sphincter disturbances; muscle wasting; sensory deficits; and reflex abnormalities.

For spinal stenosis, MRI is the best imaging procedure.

Treatments

Treatment includes weight loss, and activity modification, such as using a walker to promote a certain posture. Epidural steroid injections may also help relieve the leg pain.

If the symptoms are more severe, a laminectomy or foraminotomy may be indicated to take pressure off the spinal nerve.

Recent developments include several new implants used in surgery to treat the symptoms of spinal stenosis, while preserving as much normal motion in the spine as possible. The only FDA approved non-fusion treatment is the X STOP, by St. Francis Medical Techologies, Inc. which works via indirect decompression, called Interspinous Process Decompression.

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