Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by degeneration of the discs between the bony building blocks of the spine (vertebrae). The result is compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or soft tissues, such as discs, in the spinal canal. This most commonly occurs in the low back (lumbar spine), but can also occur the neck (cervical spine) and less frequently in the upper back (thoracic spine). The symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending location on the nerve tissues being irritated and the degree of irritation. When the neck is affected, it can result in unusual sensations in the arms and/or poor leg function and incontinence. When the low back is affected, the classic symptom is pain radiating down both legs while walking that is relieved by resting (called pseudoclaudication). Persistent mechanical irritation of the nerves to the leg can have longterm consequences. If symptoms are mild, conservative measures designed to relieve the nerve irritation are used, such as medications to relieve inflammation and/or mechanical supports and/or back exercises. Antiinflammation medications can be given to reduce the swelling of tissues (disc or other local soft tissues) that are pressing against the nerves. Examples include by mouth: ibuprofen/naproxen and others and cortisone related medication, such as prednisone; by injection: either throughout the body by injection into the muscle; or into the spinal canal (epidural injection). When symptoms are severe, surgery is necessary. The operation involves surgical resection of the bone and soft tissues that are impinging on the nerves and/or spinal cord. Operation is generally considered only with persisting, intolerable symptoms.

* * *

spinal stenosis n narrowing of the lumbar spinal column that produces pressure on the nerve roots resulting in sciatica and a condition resembling intermittent claudication and that usu. occurs in middle or old age

* * *

narrowing of the vertebral canal, nerve root canals, or intervertebral foramina of the lumbar spine caused by encroachment of bone upon the space; symptoms are caused by compression of the cauda equina and include pain, paresthesias, and neurogenic claudication. The condition may be either congenital or due to spinal degeneration. Called also lumbar spinal s. See also spinal compression under compression.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Spinal stenosis — DiseaseDisorder infobox Name = Spinal stenosis ICD10 = ICD10|M|48|0|m|45 ICD9 = ICD9|723 ICD9|724 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… …   Wikipedia

  • Cervical spinal stenosis — is a bone disease involving the narrowing of the spinal canal at the level of the neck. It is frequently due to chronic degeneration,[1] but may also be congenital. Treatment is frequently surgical.[1] References ^ a b …   Wikipedia

  • lumbar spinal stenosis — spinal s …   Medical dictionary

  • Stenosis — Classification and external resources CT scan of a bronchial stenosis (arrow) that resulted from tracheobronchial injury MeSH …   Wikipedia

  • Spinal decompression — is a term that describes the relief of pressure on one or many pinched nerves (neural impingement) of the spinal column.[1] Spinal decompression can be achieved both surgically and non surgically and is used to treat conditions that result in… …   Wikipedia

  • Spinal curvature — Classification and external resources Different regions (curvatures) of the vertebral column ICD 10 M …   Wikipedia

  • Spinal disc herniation — Slipped disc redirects here. For other uses, see Slipped disc (disambiguation). Spinal disc herniation Classification and external resources A spinal disc herniation demonstrated via MRI. ICD 10 …   Wikipedia

  • Stenosis — A narrowing, as in aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart), pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary valve in the heart), pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the outlet of the stomach), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Cervical stenosis — can refer to: Stenosis of uterine cervix Cervical spinal stenosis This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point d …   Wikipedia

  • Стеноз позвоночного канала — МКБ 10 M48.048.0 МКБ 9 723723 724724 …   Википедия

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”