Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal (the opening in each vertebra through which the spinal cord passes) that may occur in any of the regions of the spine. This narrowing causes a restriction to the spinal cord, resulting in a neurological deficit. Symptoms include pain, numbness, pins and needles and loss of motor control. The location of the stenosis determines which area of the body is affected.[1]

Contents

Types

The most common forms are cervical spinal stenosis, at the level of the neck, and lumbar spinal stenosis, at the level of the lower back. Thoracic spinal stenosis, at the level of the mid-back, is much less common.[1]

Cervical spinal stenosis

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,[2] but may also be congenital. Treatment is frequently surgical.[2]

Symptoms

Symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis include:

References

  1. ^ a b Vokshoor A (February 14, 2010). "Spinal Stenosis". eMedicine. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1264527-overview. Retrieved December 30, 2010. 
  2. ^ a b Meyer F, Börm W, Thomé C (May 2008). "Degenerative cervical spinal stenosis: current strategies in diagnosis and treatment". Dtsch Arztebl Int 105 (20): 366–72. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2008.0366. PMC 2696878. PMID 19626174. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2696878. 
  3. ^ "Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve)". AAOS. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00332. Retrieved 13 December 2011.