Does the intensity of your back, arm, or leg discomfort change based on what you’re doing at the time? This symptom can be a Indicators of spinal stenosis.
When the bone passageways that house your spinal nerves (foramen) and/or spinal cord (central canal) constrict, this condition is known as spinal stenosis. This constriction, which can occur at different sites along your spine, may compress your spinal cord and/or spinal nerves. Spinal stenosis is a problem that worsens over time and is more common in those over 60. If your condition is getting worse then you must go to the Best spine surgeon in Delhi.
Here are six common symptoms and signs to look out for if you think your discomfort may be caused by spinal stenosis. One or more symptoms may be felt, depending on the type and location of the stenosis:
Claudication of neurogenic origin
Your lower back’s squeezed nerves might cause neurogenic claudication, which is pain in your legs. The following traits are typically present in neurogenic claudication:
- persistent discomfort or numbness in your legs when you are standing
- increased discomfort and/or numbness in your legs as you walk a variety of distances or bend your backward
- difficulty engaging in activities or exercises that require standing
- With rest, discomfort and/or numbness may lessen or go away.
Leaning forward while crouching, leaning on a shopping cart, or leaning forward while sitting can all help ease the pain of neurogenic claudication.
This pain must be distinguished from vascular claudication, which can mirror neurogenic claudication, by your doctor.
Sciatica
Your lower back’s nerve roots may become compressed and cause sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy (depending on the nerve roots affected). Sciatica normally affects one leg at a time and causes nerve pain and weakness.
Pain may be felt in your lower back, buttock, thigh, calf, leg, and/or foot, depending on the nerve root(s) involved. In addition to discomfort, the areas affected by it may also experience tingling, weakening, and/or numbness.
Foot drop
Foot drop may be the result of motor weakness in your foot brought on by compression of the L4 and L5 nerve roots in the lower spine.
3 When attempting to move the foot and/or toes upward, this ailment frequently results in a feeling of weakness. As a result, when attempting to walk, the person may unintentionally drag their foot or trip over themselves.
While standing on tiptoes, weakness could result from the S1 nerve root being compressed.
Gait issues
Depending on where it occurs in the spine, spinal stenosis may have varying effects on walking, such as:
Due to foot drop, lumbar spinal stenosis (in the lower back) may result in gait issues. Quadriceps and calf muscles, among others, may become weak as a result of the illness.
In particular when walking in the dark, cervical spinal stenosis with spinal cord compression might make it difficult to maintain balance.
However, gait imbalance is not brought on by cervical spine stenosis with a pinched nerve.
Gait modifications could be too slight to pick up on right away. The problem may gradually worsen with greater falls over time.
Radiating arm pain
Mild to moderate burning or shock-like pain in the neck, shoulder, and/or arms may be a symptom of cervical spinal stenosis. Both hands may experience strange sensations including tingling, crawling, and/or numbness. 6 The hands and arms could feel frail.
Reduction in fine motor skills
When the cervical spine is compressed, it can be challenging to do hand tasks requiring fine motor skills, including buttoning shirts. Writing may be challenging in the later stages, finally rendering it hard to grasp a pen.
Consult the Best spine doctor in Delhi if any of these symptoms ring a bell because spinal stenosis may worsen if left untreated.
Also Read: Rythmia’s Rythmic Breathwork Class Is A Blast
