Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis Treatment In Hyderabad

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the gaps within your spine that can cause pressure on the nerves that run through it. Spinal stenosis most commonly affects the lower back and neck. Spinal stenosis is most typically caused by osteoarthritis wear-and-tear alterations in the spine. In extreme cases of spinal stenosis, doctors may advise surgery to provide more room for the spinal cord or nerves.

Spinal stenosis Types

The forms of spinal stenosis are categorized based on where the problem arises on the spine. 

• Cervical stenosis - The narrowing happens in the region of the spine in your neck with this ailment.

• Lumbar stenosis - The narrowing of the spine in your lower back develops in this condition. It is the most prevalent kind of spinal stenosis.

Symptoms

The symptoms frequently begin slowly and intensify over time. The symptoms vary depending on where the stenosis is and which nerves are impacted. Some of the most common signs are; 

• Around the neck (cervical spine)

• Hand, arm, foot, or leg weakness

• Walking and balance difficulties

• Neck ache

• In extreme situations, there may be bowel or bladder problems (urinary urgency and incontinence)

• Lower back pain (lumbar spine)

• Foot or leg numbness or tingling

• Insufficiency in a foot or leg

• When you stand for long periods or walk, you may have pain or cramping in one or both legs, which normally subsides when you bend forward or sit.

• Backache

Causes

• Disk herniation - With time, the delicate cushions that function as shock absorbers between your vertebrae dry out. Ligaments that have thickened. The tight fibers that help keep your spine's bones together might stiffen and grow over time. 

• Tumors - Abnormal growths can arise inside the spinal cord, the membranes that surround it, or the space between the spinal cord and the vertebrae. 

• Spinal cord injuries - Dislocations or fractures of one or more vertebrae can result from car accidents or other injuries. 

Risk elements

The majority of patients who have spinal stenosis are above the age of 50. Although degenerative changes can induce spinal stenosis in younger persons, additional factors must be addressed. 

Complications

Untreated severe spinal stenosis may rarely worsen and result in permanent:

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Problems with balance

• Incontinence

• Paralysis

CARE Hospitals Diagnosis

Your doctor may request several imaging tests to assist in determining the source of your signs and symptoms.

Imaging examinations

These tests may involve the following:

• X-rays: An X-ray of your back might indicate bony abnormalities, such as bone spurs, which can limit the area within the spinal canal. 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): The test can identify disc and ligament damage, as well as the presence of malignancies. Most importantly, it can reveal where nerves in the spinal cord are being compressed.

• CT scan or CT myelogram: If an MRI is not an option, your doctor may suggest computed tomography (CT), a test that combines X-ray pictures collected from various angles to generate comprehensive, cross-sectional images of your body.

• The CT scan in a CT myelogram is performed after a contrast dye is administered. 

CARE Hospitals Treatment

Surgery for spinal stenosis

The severity of your indications and symptoms, as well as the location of the stenosis, determine your treatment for spinal stenosis. Consult your doctor about the best therapy for your specific circumstance. 

Medications and Physiotherapy 

Your doctor will provide the necessary medications to help you ease any pain. To alleviate discomfort, patients with spinal stenosis often become less active. Physiotherapy is recommended to;

• Increase your strength and endurance.

• Maintain your spine's flexibility and stability.

• Boost your equilibrium.

Procedure for decompression

This operation involves the use of needle-like devices to remove a part of a thickened ligament in the rear of the spinal column to expand spinal canal space and alleviate nerve root impingement. This method of decompression is only available to people who have lumbar spinal stenosis and a thicker ligament.

PILD- It has also been referred to as minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD), although clinicians prefer the name PILD to prevent confusion with minimally invasive surgical treatments. Because PILD is conducted without the use of general anesthesia, it may be a possibility for certain patients who are at high surgical risk due to other medical issues.

Surgery

If alternative therapies have failed or you are incapacitated as a result of your symptoms, surgery may be considered. 

Among the surgical methods used to treat spinal stenosis are:

• Laminectomy: A laminectomy is also known as decompression surgery because it relieves nerve pressure by generating more space around them. To retain the spine's strength, that vertebra may need to be joined to surrounding vertebrae using metal hardware and a bone transplant (spinal fusion).

• Laminotomy: This method eliminates only a section of the lamina, usually by cutting a hole just large enough to alleviate pressure in a specific area.

• Laminoplasty: This treatment is exclusively used on the vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). 

• Minimally invasive surgery: This kind of surgery removes bone or lamina while minimizing injury to neighbouring healthy tissue. This reduces the requirement for fusions.

While spinal fusions can help to stabilize the spine and alleviate discomfort, avoiding them can help to prevent potential hazards such as post-surgical pain and inflammation, and illness in neighbouring areas of the spine. A minimally invasive approach to surgery has been found to result in a quicker recovery period, in addition to eliminating the need for spinal fusion.

In most situations, these space-creating surgeries assist to alleviate the symptoms of spinal stenosis. CARE Hospitals offer advanced treatment facilities to help improve the quality of your life. We have a team of highly skilled doctors, who offer the best care possible.