Stenosis comes from the Greek word meaning “choking”. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a result of degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear type of arthritis that comes with aging. Conditions such as osteoarthritis cause narrowing (choking) of the spinal canal. These narrowed canals lead to spinal nerve compression, targeting major nerves that innervate the low back (lumbar) area and legs.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is one of the most common causes of elderly disability and loss of independence in the aging population. Some symptoms are:
- Pain in low back, gluteal region and legs
- Burning in low back, gluteal region and legs
- Numbness and tingling through low back, gluteal region and legs
- Muscle weakness and fatigue in low back, gluteal region and legs
Standing and walking can aggravate the symptoms above. This is due to an upright posture, further narrowing the spinal canal. Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis should avoid any activity that involves excessive back extension. This includes lying on your stomach without a pillow or other support placed under the abdomen or other activities that involve arching your back beyond normal standing posture.
Treatment options are limited. Surgery has proven highly successful in reducing or eliminating symptoms, however benefits are generally short term and symptoms may return over time.
Dr. Ammendolia’s Boot Camp program is a helpful resource being used among healthcare professionals, aiding in long term symptom management in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis patients. MiltonBackDoc has the resources to administer this Boot Camp program for patients with this diagnosis.
