spinal stenosis

Also known as cervical spinal stenosis, lumbar spinal stenosis, Spinal stenosis of lumbar region, Extensive spinal canal stenosis

bone deterioration disease that has material basis in bony spurs, disc degeneration, or thickened ligaments which results in narrowing located in spinal cord

Key facts

Specialty: Orthopedics , neurosurgery
Symptoms: Pain, numbness , or weakness in the arms or legs
Complications: Loss of bladder control , loss of bowel control , sexual dysfunction
Usual onset: Gradual
Types: Cervical , thoracic , lumbar
Causes: Osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis , spinal tumors , trauma, Paget's disease of the bone , scoliosis , spondylolisthesis , achondroplasia
Diagnostic method: Based on symptoms and medical imaging
Differential diagnosis: Cauda equina syndrome , osteomylitis , peripheral vascular disease , fibromyalgia
Treatment: Medications, exercises, bracing , surgery.
Medication: NSAIDs , acetaminophen , steroid injections
Frequency: Up to 8% of people

via Wikipedia infobox

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Article

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen that results in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. Symptoms are typically gradual in onset and improve with leaning forward. Severe symptoms may include loss of bladder control, loss of bowel control, or sexual dysfunction.

Causes may include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal tumors, trauma, Paget's disease of the bone, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and the genetic condition achondroplasia. It can be classified by the part of the spine affected into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar stenosis. Lumbar stenosis is the most common, followed by cervical stenosis. Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and medical imaging.