Are you suffering from lower back or neck pain? No matter how much pain you are in, it is always better to get diagnosed before your chronic pain turns unbearable. Attempting to wait out lower back and neck pain can lead to degenerative disease called lumbar spinal stenosis that makes performing daily tasks extremely difficult.
If you are tired of living in constant pain, contact Augusta Pain Center in Augusta, GA to schedule an appointment to consult with a physician. Take back control of your life find relief from your chronic pain at Augusta Pain Center.
What is lumbar spinal stenosis?
Trying to understand the symptoms and constant pain that you deal with on a daily basis is an exhausting struggle, so understanding some functions of the spine can be important to providing answers. The five vertebral areas in the lower back are known as the lumbar and nerves travel through the small opening of the spinal cord on the sides of the vertebrae which are known as foramina. The main task of these nerves is to transmit sensations from the buttocks and lower extremities to the spinal cord and on to the brain. These nerves play a vital role in sending that allow us to move our toes, joints and legs. If someone is suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, it can either be their spinal canal or narrowed vertebral foramina. The narrowing of the parts is a severe condition which results in the compression of the spine which can be very painful.Causes of lumbar spinal stenosis
Aging itself is one of the main reasons that someone could be suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, but it is not just an age-related disease. There are other factors that can lead to pain as a result of lumbar spinal stenosis, such as arthritis and tumors. Below, you can find more factors that can cause lumbar spinal stenosis.- Degenerative arthritis – Wear and tear of load-bearing joints occur due to pressure exerted on it that can impact the movement of the joints.
- Degenerative disc disease – Loss of cartilage between the bones of joints and the formation of bone spurs
- Spondylosis – A degenerative disc disease that puts pressure on nerve tissue causing lumbar spinal stenosis
- Tumors – An abnormal growth of cells that can spread to the spine and numb the nerves or narrow the foramina, leading to lumbar spinal stenosis
- Infection – Bacterial or fungal that foes through the bloodstream and causes lumbar spinal stenosis
- Metabolic bone disorders – Occur due to deficiency of certain minerals like calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D can cause abnormal bone growth or mass that can be detrimental to the spine
Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis
Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis can vary depending on the factors. While reasons for contracting lumbar spinal stenosis are unique, some symptoms are classified as common and the severity of your symptoms is often dependent on the degree of degeneration or pressure. Below are a few of the common symptoms for those suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis.- Lower back pain – Intense, constant pain that gets worse at night which causes loss of bowel or bladder control
- Burning sensation – This pain is a result of pressure on the spinal nerves. It begins near the buttocks then radiates down the leg
- Weakness – Once the pressure reaches its peak point, some people experience “foot drop” a feeling that your foot is slapping the ground while walking
- Numbness or tingling – Excess pressure on the nerve due to narrowed vertebrae
- Loss of sensation – People suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis discovered they feel less pain when they lean forward or are sitting
