Lumbar Spinal Stenosis : Chapman Neurosurgical Spine Institute

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition of the spinal cord that involves the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back, or lumbar area, which is the space in the spine's vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes. Lumbar spinal stenosis causes an excessive amount of pressure to be placed on the spinal cord, as well as on the nerves that branch out from it. Lumbar spinal stenosis most commonly occurs in older adults and is often a part of the aging process. As a person gets older, spinal discs can become dryer and begin to shrink due to various degenerative conditions. This happens as the bones and tissues of the spine continue to grow. It is also common for ligamentous structures to grow excessively due to degenerative disc issues. Other causes of lumbar spinal stenosis can include spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis and tumors in the lumbar region of the spine. When these conditions occur, the spinal canal narrows and causes pain, which is often when lumbar spinal stenosis treatment becomes necessary.

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The symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis can be irritating and debilitating for the person who develops them. The most common of these symptoms is called pseudoclaudication, which consists of numbness, pain, and weakness in the back and extremities. Another effect of lumbar stenosis is stiffness in the legs and thighs. A condition called lumbar radiculopathy can also be a symptom of this type of stenosis. Lumbar radiculopathy refers to nerve irritation caused by spinal disc damage and is a telling sign of lumbar-area disc degeneration that often leads to stenosis. In severe cases of lumbar stenosis, a person may experience the loss of bowel and bladder control, loss of sexual function and partial or even full leg paralysis. The severity of these symptoms, especially pain, is usually amplified when one is standing, walking or bending down in an awkward position. Conversely, lying down and resting tends to minimize the severity of pain and discomfort.

Patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis or other spine-related issues may greatly benefit from seeking treatment at a laser spine institute such as the Chapman Neurosurgical Spine Institute. This laser spine institute offers a host of options that can help relieve the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis. Among the available treatments are steroid injections, physical therapy and medications to reduce inflammation. Procedures performed by expert Chapman Neurosurgical Spine Institute surgeons include laser spine surgery and spinal fusion surgery and have shown to help patients suffering from extreme cases of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Contact the Contact the Chapman Neurosurgical Spine Institute today if you or a loved one has a Brachial Plexus Injury.

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