Lumbar canal stenosis
What is lumbar canal stenosis?
Lumbar canal stenosis is a condition characterized by compression of the nerve structures located within the lumbar canal of the spine. The spinal canal is the space in the spinal column through which the spinal cord and the nerves coming from it pass. When this channel narrows, nerve compression occurs, which can cause symptoms in the legs, buttocks, and in some cases also in the arms and hands.
What are the causes of lumbar canal stenosis?
Lumbar canal stenosis can have several causes, such as natural aging of the body, degeneration of the intervertebral discs, disc herniation or spondylolisthesis (displacement of a vertebra). It can also be caused by the presence of tumors or lesions in the spine.
Population studies suggest that around 40% of people may have some form of lumbar spinal stenosis after the age of 65, mainly due to age-related degenerative processes.
What are the symptoms of lumbar canal stenosis?
The symptoms of lumbar canal stenosis can vary from person to person. Some people may experience low back pain, weakness in the legs, tingling, numbness and difficulty walking or standing. They may also experience pain that radiates into the buttocks or down the legs. In severe cases, lumbar canal stenosis can cause bladder or bowel control problems
Patients often report pain and problems (tingling, numbness in the legs) when standing shortly after walking that subside when stopping and resting and/or arching the spine.
How is lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis is made through medical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and, above all, MRI or CT scans.
It is essential to combine the tests with a good assessment of the patient as a whole as some of the symptoms may be due to other coexisting pathologies (e.g. vascular pathology, altered nerve function due to metabolic disorders…).
It is important to seek treatment if persistent symptoms are experienced. A good diagnosis is key. That, and early treatment, can help prevent complications and improve long-term outcomes.
What is the treatment for lumbar canal stenosis?
Treatment of lumbar canal stenosis will depend on the severity of symptoms and underlying causes. At BSI we perform a multidisciplinary and personalized approach to the patient, exhausting whenever possible, conservative and non-surgical alternatives.
Thus, in milder cases, symptoms can be alleviated with measures such as physical therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The goal is to reduce inflammation and pain and improve physical function.
Infiltrations performed on an outpatient basis can also help, either in consultation (ultrasound-guided infiltrations) or in the operating theatre (facet blocks, neurolysis, rhizolysis/radiofrequency).
Finally, in more severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Surgery may involve removal of bone tissue or decompression of the spinal canal, which relieves pressure on nerve structures.
Sometimes spinal fusion, where two or more vertebrae are fused together to create greater stability in the spine, may also be recommended.
In either case, our team of experts will guide the patient through the process, offering comprehensive support.
Stenosis surgery is one of the most grateful and safe surgeries, offering the patient a notable and radical improvement in their quality of life.