spinal narrowing

SPINAL NARROWING DEFINITION

Spinal narrowing, also known as spinal stenosis, can be caused by injury, by a congenital condition, or by age-related degeneration of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal ligaments, spinal joints, or other components of the spinal anatomy. Degenerative spine conditions that could cause narrowing include osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and others. Spinal narrowing does not produce symptoms unless the restricted space leads to irritation or compression of a nerve root or the spinal cord itself.

Who is at Risk for Spinal Narrowing?

People of all ages are vulnerable to spinal narrowing after a traumatic back or neck injury, but most spinal stenosis is found in people who are middle-aged or older. Over the years, the spinal anatomy is subjected to a broad range of stress-inducing movement, including bending and twisting. Abnormalities that can arise from spinal degeneration include bone spurs, herniated discs, bulging discs, and thickened ligaments. Risk factors for spinal narrowing include:

• Age – people 50 or older are more likely to develop spinal narrowing.
• Genetics – inherited traits can make certain people more vulnerable to stenosis.
• Smoking – ingredients in cigarettes restrict blood vessels and other passages in the body.
• Injury history – a spinal injury suffered early in life can reduce spinal stability later on.
• Obesity – excess body weight places more stress on the spine.

Treatment for Spinal Narrowing

If spinal narrowing leads to nerve compression or spinal cord irritation, symptoms such as localized pain, radiating pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness can occur. More often than not, these symptoms can be managed using conservative treatment such as pain medication, behavior modification, massage, epidural steroid injections, exercise, and others. If chronic symptoms persist after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn whether a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using endoscopic technology may be able to help you find relief from back and neck pain.