spinal stenosis treatment

Spinal stenosis treatment: The treatment of spinal stenosis aims to ensure that the nerves getting compressed get relieved.

The chances of any other nerves getting compressed within the vertebrae are reduced to a minimum.

Cold therapy is advised for at least 20 minutes in a go.

Physiotherapy also proves to be very beneficial for the treatment of spinal stenosis.

Lumbar or cervical traction is provided to pull the vertebrae of the cervical and lumbar region apart and increase the gap between them.

The pulling technique ensures that the pinched nerves are relieved, thereby relieving the patient from the symptoms.

With degenerative changes associated with the aging process, the shape of the spine changes and the width of the spinal canal can get narrowed and create pressure on the spinal nerves.

Of all the degenerative changes seen in spinal stenosis, most common is in the lumar region.While degenerative changes in the spine can be seen in around 95% of people by the age of 50, lumbar spinal stenosis is more commonly seen in those above 60 years of age.

With increasing age, the inter-vertebral spongy discs tend to get hardened, resulting in loss of disc height and its bulging out into the spinal canal.

This narrowing of the canal results in compression of nerves radiating out towards the legs and urinary bladder.

SymptomsThe patient may feel pain, cramping or numbness in the legs, buttocks or calves which could get further aggravated upon standing for long periods or walking.

Pain will typically improve upon bending forward, sitting or lying down.