Spinal stenosis is caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal, which compresses the nerves that pass through that area of the back. An effective treatment for relieving the symptoms of this condition, which can affect both the lumbar and cervical canal, is surgery.
Surely most of you have expressed some discomfort in that area of the body and, according to different studies, around 85% of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, affecting eight out of ten. The type, intensity, and duration of this condition must also be taken into account in order to classify it as acute, when it appears suddenly and persists only for a few days or weeks, or chronic, when it lasts more than three months. In the latter case, the problem becomes more serious. This is where the surgical microscope comes into play.
Nerves are compressed as the spinal canal narrows.
Focusing on a spinal pathology that Dr. Mosqueira knows and treats perfectly, Spinal stenosis occurs mainly in patients over 65 years of age, becoming the leading cause of spinal surgeryDue to degenerative causes, the bone tissue and joints in the spinal canal may increase in size, as may the ligaments in this area. As a result, the space through which the nerve roots pass is narrowed.
If this continues they may become compressed and produce symptoms.In the case of stenosis of the lumbar canal (lower back), it can be associated with the appearance of one or more herniated disks, which further compresses the nerve roots; while in cervical canal (neck) stenosis, the entire spinal cord can even be compressed, causing damage to it.
Upper and lower extremity discomfort caused by lumbar and cervical stenosis
At Clínica Dr. Mosqueira, stenosis of the lumbar canal (lower back area) is treated, as well as may be associated with the appearance of one or more herniated discs, which further compresses the nerve roots; and those of the cervical canal (neck), where the entire spinal cord can even be compressed, causing damage to it. In this type of pathology, the site of origin and the condition vary, although the treatment process is usually the same. It is estimated that Eight out of ten patients aged 50 years or older suffer from lumbar pain., becoming one of the main causes of disability.
Narrowings in the cervical area are less common among the population., but there are numerous cases. If the compression of the nerve roots is prolonged over timeThe pain increases, becoming constant, and then symptoms appear. Its onset in this condition is usually gradual and progressive. In lumbar conditions, pain begins in the lower back and/or lumbosciatica, which spreads to the lower extremities: pain, tingling, and numbness in the legs when walking (intermittent claudication). In severe and prolonged cases, loss of strength is manifested..
Changing the area, the neck is often the other affected part of the body. Initially, symptoms may increase upward, producing pain in the neck, as well as Tingling, numbness, and/or loss of sensationAt this point, the upper extremities and legs are affected: numbness/weakness in the arms, legs, and hands, difficulty walking or maintaining balance, coordination problems, kidney problems, and incontinence; and, in severe cases, decreased strength.
Surgical microscope as an effective solution
There are two options considered depending on the degree of tightness caused by the stenosis: physical therapy or surgery. It's clear that timely treatment reduces pain and prevents the problem from getting worse, but Sometimes in a severe case, conservative therapy is not useful, so the only option is surgery as the only way to stop pain. For surgical intervention there are several possibilities of action depending on the case, what is clear is that the surgical microscope is the main weapon.
On one side is the decompressive microlaminectomy, in which a small incision of about three centimeters is made in the back following the line of the spine, specifically, of course, in the area where the stenosis is to remove part of a vertebra that causes compression of the nerves and thus release them. And, on the other hand, the surgical procedure of microlaminoforaminotomy, causing pressure to be released from a nerve while widening the opening in the back where the nerve roots exit the spinal canal.
If you need a diagnosis or surgery performed using a surgical microscope, at Dr. Mosqueira Clinic we provide you with all the necessary resources. We always like to inform our patients and friends, and also help them in any way possible. If you would like information about any medical topic or need a consultation with us, please do not hesitate to contact us at 951 00 66 38, we will be happy to assist you with whatever you need.
Newsroom Vere Álvarez
