Spinal Stenosis Specialist in Allen, and Plano, TX
If you are suffering from spinal stenosis pain, then visit American Pain and Wellness for lasting back pain relief. We have convenient locations in Texas. For more information, please call us.
Table of Contents:
What is the main cause of spinal stenosis?
What does spinal stenosis feel like?
What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis?
What will happen if spinal stenosis is left untreated?
Spinal stenosis is a significant narrowing of the spinal column. Some narrowing of the spinal column is expected over time, but when the narrowing becomes more severe, pressure is put on the spinal cord, which can cause significant pain. The narrowing can also reduce the range of motion, reduce strength, and cause numbness in parts of the body.
Spinal stenosis has several causes. Some of these can be fixed through a deliberate lifestyle and special exercises. In some cases, surgery may be required to make corrections. The spinal column is an important part of the body, and deterioration or damage can have far-reaching effects on the quality of life.
The leading cause of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis which comes from the wear and tears in the joints over time. Osteoarthritis starts to cause changes in people by the time they turn 50. That is why people who are over 50 will develop symptoms of spinal stenosis. Women have a greater risk of developing this than men.
There are other circumstances or conditions that can cause spinal stenosis and they are:
– Injury to the spine
– Narrow spinal canal
– Spinal tumor
– Past surgery on the spine
– Certain bone diseases
– Rheumatoid arthritis
Early spinal stenosis might not show symptoms. Symptoms will develop gradually over time and can include:
– Pain in the back
– Numbness, tingling, weakness, or cramping in the legs
– Burning pain going through the buttocks and into the legs (sciatica)
– Loss of feeling in the feet
– Loss of sexual ability
– Weakness in one foot that causes a slap when walking.
Pressure on the nerves can also cause some serious symptoms called cauda equine syndrome. If you lose control of your bladder or bowel control, have increasing or severe numbness in your legs, or pain and weakness that affects one or both legs that makes it difficult to walk or get out of a chair, you should seek medical help.
Spinal stenosis will require a change in lifestyle. As the narrowing of the spinal column places pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, certain activities can worsen the situation and increase pain and other problems. If you have spinal stenosis, you may want to avoid these activities.
– Avoid excessive back extension.
– Avoid running or long walks
– Avoid certain stretches or poses
– Avoid loading a rounded back, such as when lifting weight
– Avoid staying in bed too long
– Avoid contact sports
Spinal stenosis has a number of unpleasant symptoms that can become worse over time. If treatment and proper lifestyle are not followed, more serious complications can arise, like nerve damage and paralysis. Treated early, spinal stenosis can be monitored and prevented, preventing the need for invasive corrective procedures.
Left untreated, spinal stenosis can cause:
– Constant pain and discomfort that gets worse over time. This may spread to other areas of the body.
– Decreased levels of activity will lead to a sedentary lifestyle and the complications that come with that.
– In severe cases, a person can become permanently disabled. This may be through nerve damage or weakness that comes from a limited ability to move. Severe spinal stenosis can leave a person wheelchair-bound.
– Untreated spinal stenosis can lead to the loss of bowel and bladder control. When the nerves become weak or damaged, they interfere with the function of the bowels or the bladder. This can be repaired with surgery, but it is better to avoid this problem.
American Pain and Wellness specializes in back pain and spine pain. Dr. Steven L. Remer, MD, and the medical staff are specially trained in dealing with all kinds of pain and can help create a treatment plan for you if you are dealing with spinal stenosis. We have 2 locations in Texas for your convenience. Please call to find out more. We serve patients from Allen TX, Plano TX, Fairview TX, McKinney TX, Parker TX, Lucas TX, Murphy TX, Frisco TX, Richardson TX, and Collin County Texas.
