Spinal stenosis is a fairly common problem, especially when it comes to elderly patients. Pathology is accompanied by a narrowing of the lumen of the spinal canal and, accordingly, compression of the nerve roots, blood vessels, and spinal cord. One of the most dangerous forms of the disease is absolute spinal stenosis.
Of course, many people are interested in additional information. Why does narrowing occur? What are the causes of the development of pathology? What symptoms should I look for? What are the consequences of stenosis? Are there effective treatments? Let's find the answers to these questions.
What are the functions of the spinal cord?
Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, through which, in fact, the spinal cord passes. That is why such a pathology is so dangerous, because any deformation of the spine is directly fraught with damage to the central nervous system.
Before considering the causes and symptoms of the disease, you need to find out what functions the spinal cord performs. This structure departs directly from the brain, passes through the channel inside the spine and consists of gray and white matter. The spinal cord is divided into 31 segments, each of which leaves a pair of front and rear nerve roots.
This part of the nervous system regulates the muscles of the trunk and limbs, provides the body with simple motor reactions. The sacral segments partly control the processes of urination and defecation, sexual reflexes. At the same time, the thoracic spinal cord is responsible for the functioning of the heart and organs of the respiratory system.
In addition, the spinal cord acts as a conductor - nerve impulses from nerve fibers enter the posterior roots and follow to the brain (and in the opposite direction).
The main causes of the development of pathology
Why does absolute spinal stenosis develop? The reasons may be different. It is worth considering the most common, the list of which includes:
- spinal injuries as a result of an accident, fall, professional sports;
- excessive physical activity, weight lifting;
- the appearance of growths or thickening of bone tissue in the spinal canal;
- the formation of cysts;
- the appearance and growth of lipomas;
- intervertebral hernia;
- epiduritis;
- stratification of the walls of arteries;
- chronic forms of osteochondrosis;
- some infectious diseases;
- previous surgery on the vertebrae;
- spondylitis;
- the appearance and growth of tumors.
By the way, it is post-traumatic spinal deformities that are the most common. Most often, stenosis affects the lumbar spine, less commonly the cervical and thoracic.
If we are talking about congenital forms of spinal stenosis, the reasons are intrauterine growth disorders, in particular, improper laying and growth of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and cartilage structures.
Types of deformation. Classification
Depending on the causes and origin of the pathology, congenital and acquired forms are distinguished.
The degree of narrowing is also taken into account:
- Absolute spinal stenosis is a pathology in which the diameter of the spinal canal narrows significantly and does not even reach 10 mm.
- Relative stenosis is a disease in which the spinal canal narrows, but its diameter is greater than 10-12 mm.
The main symptoms: what to look for?
How is absolute spinal stenosis manifested? Symptoms directly depend on the localization of the pathological process. If we are talking about a lesion of the lumbar (these are the cases that are considered the most common), then patients complain of sharp, sharp pains extending to one leg or both limbs at once. There is a periodic appearance of spasms of the calf muscles. Lameness practically deprives a person of the ability to move. As the channel narrows, you can observe sensitivity disorders - numbness of the limbs, a tingling sensation is possible.
Of course, the symptoms are more pronounced if there is a spinal cord injury - in such cases, the ability to move limbs is absent, as well as sensitivity. In addition, narrowing of the canal in the lumbar can lead to the appearance of erectile dysfunction, various disorders of defecation, urination.
But the narrowing of the spinal cord in the thoracic spine is accompanied by other signs. Patients complain of weakness in the hands. Periodic burning pain occurs in the temples and neck. The list of symptoms includes dizziness, visual and hearing impairment, problems with coordination of movements.
Stages of the development of the disease
Absolute stenosis most often develops gradually. The narrowing of the spinal canal occurs in several stages:
- First stage. The narrowing is minimal, therefore, the symptoms are hardly noticeable. Walking is not broken, however, looking at a person’s gait, you can notice a slight limp. Pain is either absent or occurs after excessive physical exertion.
- Second stage. There are already more serious gait disorders, patients complain of pain, but can still move around on their own.
- Third stage. Soreness becomes more pronounced, as does lameness. It’s hard for a person to walk independently, without help.
- The fourth stage (in fact, absolute stenosis). Patients suffer from sharp, sharp pains and lose their ability to move.
Diagnostic measures
If disturbing symptoms appear, consult a doctor. The fact is that pain in the limbs, lameness and other disorders may not be associated with stenosis. That is why patients are carefully examined. If you suspect stenosis of the spinal canal, the patient must be referred to an x-ray of the spine. If potential signs of narrowing are visible in the pictures, then computer and magnetic resonance imaging, myelography, and spondylography are additionally performed. Such diagnostic measures can determine the degree of stenosis, assess the condition of blood vessels and spinal cord.
Drug therapy
After a complete diagnosis and obtaining tomography results, the doctor will draw up a therapy regimen. If we are talking about medicines, then they are usually effective only with relative forms of narrowing. With absolute stenosis, most patients require surgical intervention. Drugs are also used to eliminate symptoms:
- First of all, patients are recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, Ibuprofen, Nurofen). Such medications help slow down the inflammatory process and relieve discomfort.
- If the pain is too strong, then more effective painkillers, including analgesics, can be used.
- Special anti-inflammatory patches help cope with discomfort.
- Vitamins will be useful both in the form of tablets, and in the form of injections.
- Muscle relaxants help cope with cramps and persistent muscle cramps, which often cause terrible discomfort to the patient.
- With a very intense pain syndrome, blockade with glucocorticoids can be carried out.
Physiotherapy
Drug treatment is aimed at reducing the main symptoms of narrowing of the spinal canal. Alas, if we are talking about absolute stenosis, then patients usually require surgical intervention.
Patients, of course, are recommended a course of therapeutic massage that helps to improve blood circulation and relieve muscle spasm, as well as regular exercise therapy. But all these measures are usually used in the process of rehabilitation after surgery on the spine.
Surgical intervention
If the problem cannot be solved with the help of drugs, massage and physical education, then surgery is recommended for patients. The type of procedure the doctor chooses, depending on the condition of the person, the degree and causes of stenosis:
- Segment stabilization is a procedure that helps restore the natural position of the vertebrae, thereby eliminating pressure from the vessels, spinal cord, and other structures.
- Sometimes a resection is necessary. During surgery, the doctor removes part of the vertebral arch. This procedure, of course, relieves pressure, but also often makes the structure of the spine unstable, as a result of which this part of the musculoskeletal system is more prone to injury. That is why resection is most often combined with a stabilization procedure.
- Interspinous fixation is an operation during which the doctor installs special implants that stabilize the spine.
- The least traumatic endoscopic foraminotomy is considered. This is a minimally invasive operation, during which the doctor using special endoscopic equipment eliminates the compression of the nerve roots.
- Microdisectomy is another minimally invasive procedure that is usually performed to eliminate the effects of stenosis in the cervical spine.
Possible complications
Spinal stenosis is an extremely dangerous disease. Any reduction in the spinal canal is fraught with serious consequences. For example, a narrowing of the space can lead to compression or trauma to the spinal cord and, accordingly, to malfunctions of the central nervous system. Many patients suffer from pain, sensitivity disorders in the lower extremities. Absolute stenosis of the spinal canal can lead to complete immobilization of the lower body and, consequently, disability.
If, as a result of the narrowing of the canal, compression of the vertebral artery occurs, in turn, this leads to oxygen starvation of the tissues of the nervous system, and sometimes to ischemic stroke.
Is treatment possible with folk remedies?
In no case should you try to treat spinal stenosis (including absolute) yourself. In this situation, it is very important to seek medical help on time.
As for traditional medicine, healers recommend wiping the skin in the affected area with vodka or eucalyptus tincture. Effective are considered chilled compresses with lemon juice and garlic, which must be alternated with mustard plasters. Such procedures (exposure to cold, and then warming up) help activate blood circulation in the affected area, improve trophic tissue. But remember that such events help reduce pain, relieve swelling and eliminate some other symptoms, but stenosis itself cannot be eliminated. Home-made products can only be used with the permission of the attending physician.
Preventive actions
You already know what spinal stenosis is and why it develops. If we are talking about congenital forms of the disease, then it is almost impossible to prevent their development. But you can insure yourself from acquired stenosis at least partially. It is very important to monitor body weight, as extra pounds create additional stress on the joints and spine. It is worth leading an active lifestyle, because regular physical activity and exercise strengthen the muscle corset, partially relieving pressure from the spine. On the other hand, carrying heavy loads, overworking, traumatic sports is not a good idea.
Do not forget that absolute spinal stenosis does not develop in one day, unless it is about injuries. This is a chronic disease that progresses over many months and even years. That is why, when the first symptoms appear, consult a doctor. The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the higher the chances of a complete and relatively quick, painless recovery. But the refusal of medical care is fraught with disability. Is it worth the risk?