Can narrowing of the spine be fixed?

Spinal stenosis can’t be cured but responds to treatment “Unfortunately, nothing can stop the progression of spinal stenosis, since it is due to daily wear and tear” said Dr. Hennenhoefer. “The symptoms of spinal stenosis typically respond to conservative treatments, including physical therapy and injections.”

What does narrowing of the lower spine mean?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of your back. Stenosis, which means narrowing, can cause pressure on your spinal cord or the nerves that go from your spinal cord to your muscles. Spinal stenosis can happen in any part of your spine but is most common in the lower back.

What happens if you have narrowing of the spine?

Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spaces in your spine, can compress your spinal cord and nerve roots exiting each vertebrae. Age-related changes in your spine is a common cause. Symptoms include back and/or neck pain, and numbness, tingling and weakness in your arms and legs.

What happens if lumbar spinal stenosis is left untreated?

Rarely, untreated severe spinal stenosis may progress and cause permanent: Numbness. Weakness. Balance problems.

Can spinal stenosis shorten your life?

Spinal stenosis can result in significant morbidity. Severe disability and death may result from the association of cervical stenosis with even minor trauma resulting in the central cord syndrome. Both upper (cervical) and lower (lumbar) spinal stenosis may result in motor weakness and chronic pain.

How do you sleep with spinal stenosis?

People with spinal stenosis should consider sleep in the fetal position, or in an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to be elevated. This relieves the pressure on the spinal nerves. When patients have hip pain, the best sleeping position is on their sides with a pillow between their knees.

What is the newest treatment for spinal stenosis?

VertiFlex™ Superion™ Shah inserts a tiny implant called VertiFlex Superion. This H-shaped device is placed between the vertebrae that are rubbing against one another due to compression from spinal stenosis. The device is then expanded to open up the space between the vertebrae, and the nerves are freed.

How can you treat spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spine?

Anti-inflammatory medications: Help to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Rest: It’s important to rest if you have spinal stenosis,overdoing an activity may make the symptoms worse and put more stress on your spine.

Cortisone injections: Can be used in the spine to help reduce swelling.

What are the symptoms of L4 and L5 nerve damage?

Pain. Pain may be the first indicator that you have a bulging disc at L4/5.

Tingling and Numbness. Nerves transmit sensations from your skin to the brain,and compression by a disc can interfere with this function or send false signals.

Weakness. Your brain sends impulses through nerves to tell your muscles to contract.

Warnings.

What causes foraminal narrowing?

Neural foraminal stenosis occurs when something narrows the spaces between the bones of your spine. The risk of neural foraminal stenosis increases with age. This is because normal wear and tear associated with aging can lead to narrowing. As we age, disks in the spine lose height, begin to dry out, and start to bulge.

What causes pain in the lower spine?

The single most common cause of lower back pain is a torn or pulled muscle and/or ligament. A low back sprain or strain can happen suddenly, or can develop slowly over time from repetitive movements. Strains occur when a muscle is stretched too far and tears, damaging the muscle itself.