Aging and Spinal Stenosis

The spinal cord travels from the brain to the lower back or lumbar area of your backbone. The small bones in the backbone or the vertebrae protect the spinal cord and the nerves emanating from it and going to different parts of the body. Hence, a problem in one part of your back can produce symptoms elsewhere in the body, like the arms or legs.

Spinal stenosis is a back condition affects millions of people over the age of 50 years.

The word “stenosis” refers toa narrowing of a passage in the body. Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal. There are three primary reasons for this narrowing or stenosis in older people.

Aging

In many cases, spinal stenosis develops over time, as the person ages. The gel-filled intervertebral discs between the vertebrae wear out and bulge, exerting pressure on the nerves.

Ligaments

The ligaments connecting the bones can thicken with age, narrowing the spinal canal.

Wear and Tear

Wear and tear can also result in thinning of the cartilage between the vertebrae, causing bones to rub against each other, resulting in bone spurs and pain.

While the spinal canal narrows with aging, you may experience any symptomsuntil the nerves are affected. Specific movements or posture can lead to this pressure, causing symptoms.

Cervical spinal stenosis affects the upper or neck vertebrae while lumbar spinal stenosis affects the lower back or lumbar area. Symptoms of the condition include localized muscle weakness, numbness or radiating pain in your arms, hands, legs or feet, depending on the affected area in the spine, especially where the nerves are being impinged.

Treating Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a chronic condition. However, timely and proper diagnosis and treatment, can help to manage it, in most cases.

Non-invasive treatments, such as medication, physical therapy, posture correction, and lifestyle modification, can often provide relief from pain and nerve pressure. Further, minimally invasive, interventional pain treatments, such as epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks can help in case of bulging and herniated discs and nerve-related pain. There are advanced pain management treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation. Surgery is needed in extreme cases.

To understand the cause of your back pain and to determine the right treatment for your chronic back pain and other symptoms, get in touch with a restorative pain management doctor immediately. Pain management doctors are extensively trained and experienced in accurately diagnosingand treating various types of acute and chronic pain in the body.

If you are looking for internal medicine and restorative pain management doctors in San Diego, call Pacific Medical Care at (619) 333-8114.Pacific Medical Care provides a wide range of healthcare services, and first-rate care to treat the whole patient.

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pacificmedical Joined: October 24th, 2018