An overview of spinal stenosis

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An Overview Of Spinal Stenosis

• Dr. Erik Bendiks is a orthopedic surgeon who
  offers treatment for neck pain, back pain and
  spine in Atlanta.

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There can be several reasons for back pain. Human
spine is made up of more than thirty bones known
as vertebrae. These vertebrae are held together
by shock absorbing discs, muscles and ligaments.
Even the slight problem in any part of spine can
trigger severe back pain. For some people, back
pain subsides at its own within few weeks and
condition improves with lifestyle changes,
physical therapy and exercises. However, there
are others who develop grave problems. No matter
what type of pain in back you have been
experiencing, fix an appointment with doctor
immediately.
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There is very possibility that you might be
suffering from spinal stenosis. In this
condition, pain is extreme and in some cases,
even surgery is recommended so that you can get
spinal stenosis relief. Reading further you will
find information regarding spinal stenosis.
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Understanding spinal
stenosis It refers to a condition in which spinal
canal narrows down. It takes place in lower area
of the spine, known as lumbar region. Those who
are suffering from this condition are not able to
walk aptly for long durations. Wear and tear
which occurs with ageing on the lower spine is
the main cause for spinal stenosis. This
condition develops over a period of time, and
thus is a slow process. It usually affects
elderly people who are already suffering from
progressive degenerative ailment (arthritis). As
the spinal canal narrows down, it compresses
nerves which lead to weakness, pain, tingling and
numbness in the legs, lower back and buttocks,
particularly after physical activity and walking.

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• Signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis
• If you are suffering from spinal stenosis, there
  are some symptoms which you might experience.
  Given below are a few symptoms that you might
  notice specifically when you either walk or
  stand
• Difficulty in walking distances
• Achingor dull back pain which slowly spreads to
  your legs
• Loss of balance or weakness
• Decrease in endurance of physical activities
• pins and needles or numbness in buttocks,
  calves or legs.

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Above slated symptoms improve when you sit, lean
down, bend or lie down. In most of the cases,
patients start noticing respite of their signs
and symptoms when they sit for short span,
however as soon as they start walking again,
these symptoms can be experienced again. Another
back problem which has affected many people
across the globe is herniated discs. Here you
will get a glimpse of lumbar herniated disc.
Lumbar herniated disc A ruptured or
herniated disc is a condition which occurs when
gel like substance which fills the nucleus leaks
or bulges out through the outer ring of the disc.
This leaking or bulging disc filling could
pressurise nerves in the spine and neck leading
to severe pain.
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Causes of herniated disc There
are several factors which can make you disc in
spine weak. These discs have high water content
in young adults as well as children. However,
with aging they lose some part of this water.
This, in turn, makes the discs flexible as well
as smaller, thus decreasing the spaces between
vertebrae. This, however increases the chances of
developing herniated disc as well as nerve
compression. Dr. Erik T.
Bemdiks, M.D.