Canal Stenosis Definition, Causes, and Treatments

When the spinal canal narrows as a result of a condition affecting the neck or back, a patient can develop canal stenosis. Since the spinal column is home to the spinal cord and dozens of nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord, any narrowing of spinal nerve passageways can cause pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, and muscle spasms.

Causes

A number of conditions can cause the canal to narrow. A couple of the most common causes of canal stenosis are listed below:

• Bone spurs – The body sometimes creates bone spurs, which are growths on the natural bone structure, in response to pressure and friction. Though usually created to provide protection and better stability to the neck and back, bone spurs can sometimes grow into the spinal canal, causing stenosis.
• Herniated discs – If the jellylike center (the nucleus pulposus) of an intervertebral disc seeps out of the disc’s tough exterior, a patient is said to have a herniated disc. Disc tissue can enter into the spinal canal, causing stenosis.

Treatments

Most doctors will begin treatment of the above spinal conditions with conservative therapies such as heat therapy, bed rest, and pain medications. Patients who fail to respond to these treatment methods may benefit from the minimally invasive procedures performed by the surgeons at Laser Spine Institute. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about our safe and effective procedures and how they are used to treat conditions affecting the neck and back.