Spinal stenosis is a chronic process of penetration into the spaces that occupy the spinal cord and cartilage nerve roots,
soft tissue and bone structures. Canal narrowing does not apply to stenosis,
caused by disc herniation.
Spinal stenosis is characterized by common manifestations and is diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, as well as spondylography (radiography of the spinal canal).
Spinal stenosis is distinguished by idiopathic, that is, congenital, acquired and combined. The disease leads to compression of the roots and spinal cord with manifestations of neurological symptoms. The most commonly observed stenosis of the lumbar region. Traumatic
damage, tumors, thickening of the yellow ligament, osteophyte growth, protrusion
disks, arthrosis of the facet joints, stenosis of the vertebral arteries.
Congenital stenosis due to individual characteristics of the spine, acquired at its core has a wide variety of causes, for example, ankylosing spondylitis, the formation of postoperative scars and adhesions, Forestier disease and others. Pathophysiological mechanisms are ischemia, stenosis
vertebral arteries, aseptic inflammation and increased epidural
pressure resulting from chronic squeezing
neurovascular systems of the spinal canal. As a result,
uneven blood flow to the nerve structures of the spinal canal. Decline
the level of incoming blood leads to ischemia of the nerve roots and ponytail.
With increased biochemical processes, oxygen demand increases,
therefore, pain usually occurs when walking. Increased
epidural pressure is the cause of the inflammatory process.
Often acquired stenosis occurs at the last stage of osteochondrosis, when compensatory processes arise that are aimed at stabilizing the spinal motor segment. There is arthrosis of the intervertebral joints and proliferation of bone tissue in the form of osteophytes. Symptoms of the disease are pain caused by irritation of the nerve roots. With the development of the disease, the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the spinal cord decreases. As a result, during physical activity, weakness and pain in the limbs and spine appear. Manifestations of stenosis are violation of the sensitivity of the legs, muscle hypertrophy, intermittent claudication syndrome , lumbalgia. To identify the causes of the disease, computed tomography is combined with a myelogram, based on an analysis of the results of which a diagnosis is made - spinal stenosis. Treatment can be prompt and conservative.
Therapy includes the use of anti-inflammatory, vascular and analgesic drugs. Drug treatment is combined with massage, physiotherapy, epidural administration of steroids (diprospan, Kenalog). In many cases, glucocorticoid hormones are used in combination with anesthetics. Surgical methods of treatment include the installation of stabilization systems and interspinous fixation, decompressive laminectomy. Laminectomy
consists in resection of the structures leading to compression of the nerve roots and
ponytail. Significantly improve the results of a system laminectomy
stabilization. The use of interspinous dynamic fixation reduces the load on the rear support columns and expands the area of the spinal canal. As a result, the lumbalgic syndrome is reduced.
Spinal stenosis is a rather serious pathology of the spine, which is not worth joking with. When the first signs appear, you should contact a specialist.