SPINAL STENOSIS
Spinal canal stenosis in the lower back (lumbar stenosis) is a constriction of the spinal canal. This can put pressure on the nerve canal and the nerve roots, resulting in pain, numbness and weakness in the lower back, legs and feet.
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis? You may experience the following:
- Pain in the lower back and/or legs, especially when walking or standing for long periods of time.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs and feet.
- Decreased physical activity and mobility.
- Your maximum walking distance becomes increasingly shorter.
Spinal canal stenosis in the lower back (lumbar stenosis) is a constriction of the spinal canal. This can put pressure on the nerve canal and the nerve roots, resulting in pain, numbness and weakness in the lower back, legs and feet.
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis? You may experience the following:
- Pain in the lower back and/or legs, especially when walking or standing for long periods of time.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs and feet.
- Decreased physical activity and mobility.
- Your maximum walking distance becomes increasingly shorter.
If the herniated disc is located between the sixth and seventh vertebrae (herniated disc at the level C6/C7), the C7 nerve is affected. It runs from the shoulder blade over the back of the arm to the middle finger. If the entire spinal cord is pinched, movements of the neck can cause the sensation of electric shocks down the spine.
Causes of spinal stenosis
Aging: Wear and tear of the spine due to aging can lead to a thickening of the ligaments and the formation of bone spurs, which can restrict the spinal canal.
Degenerative changes: Degenerative changes in the spine, such as arthritis and degenerative disc disease, can contribute to the compression of the spinal canal.
This MRI scan of the lower back shows the spine from the side, with the vertebrae visible as a series of stacked blocks. The intervertebral discs are located between these vertebrae, and the nerve canal runs vertically through this structure.
Stenosis (at the levels L2/3, L3/4, L4/5 or L5/S1) is diagnosed when the nerve channel is pinched, not only by a bulging intervertebral disc but also by a thickening of the small joints (also known as facet arthritis) and the ligament between the bones of the spinal column. This narrowing results in the pinching of nerves, which isparticularly noticeable during movements such as walking. As you try to walk some more, the pressure increases until you are forced to stop. To find relief, you must stop, sit down and bend over to create more space in the nerve canal.
The treatment of lumbar spinal canal stenosis can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's symptoms.
This MRI scan of the lower back shows the spine from the side, with the vertebrae visible as a series of stacked blocks. The intervertebral discs are located between these vertebrae, and the nerve canal runs vertically through this structure.
Stenosis (at the levels L2/3, L3/4, L4/5 or L5/S1) is diagnosed when the nerve channel is pinched, not only by a bulging intervertebral disc but also by a thickening of the small joints (also known as facet arthritis) and the ligament between the bones of the spinal column. This narrowing results in the pinching of nerves, which isparticularly noticeable during movements such as walking. As you try to walk some more, the pressure increases until you are forced to stop. To find relief, you must stop, sit down and bend over to create more space in the nerve canal.
The treatment of lumbar spinal canal stenosis can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's symptoms.
Conservative treatment: Lumbar spinal canal stenosis can often be treated through conservative methods such as painkillers, physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Physical therapy can help strengthen the back muscles, improve posture and relieve pressure on the nerves.
Injections: Corticosteroid injections can be used to reduce inflammation and swelling in the spinal canal, which can help relieve pain.
Surgery: If conservative treatments are not effective or if the spinal canal stenosis is severe, surgery may be necessary.
Traffic jam on the nerve highway
How does spinal stenosis occur?
“I sometimes compare the spine to a house. Imagine the spinal canal as a beautifully decorated living room. The furniture is all neatly in place and it all goes together perfectly. In a new house, everything functions perfectly. As the house ages, the floor warps and the ceiling starts to sag. At first the doors are harder to open, eventually the cupboards creak and everything is stuck shut.This is sadly what happens to the aging spine. The nerve channel becomes clogged, the joints - the ceiling - thicken and take up more space.
How does spinal stenosis occur?
“I sometimes compare the spine to a house. Imagine the spinal canal as a beautifully decorated living room. The furniture is all neatly in place and it all goes together perfectly. In a new house, everything functions perfectly. As the house ages, the floor warps and the ceiling starts to sag. At first the doors are harder to open, eventually the cupboards creak and everything is stuck shut.This is sadly what happens to the aging spine. The nerve channel becomes clogged, the joints - the ceiling - thicken and take up more space.
The floor - the intervertebral disc - protrudes and presses downward. The result is that just when the nerves should be moving, namely while walking, it becomes increasingly difficult and the walking stamina decreases significantly. The walking distance becomes shorter and shorter, and people seek relief by sitting down. Cycling is still possible because you are slightly bent over. This creates more space in the nerve canal, so that you do not experience any symptoms while biking.
Stenosis is a typical condition experienced by people of advanced age. The key is to consider stenosis surgery when the time is right, before patients are too old or too ill. In the field of medical literature, there is a consensus that stenosis will not go away on its own, as a herniated disc often does, but that it will worsen with age and that a microscopic surgery is the best solution.”
How is the spinal stenosis surgery performed?
During the surgery, just enough tissue must be removed to make room for the nerves again. Surgery should take as little time as possible and the patient should be back on their feet again quickly. Because stenosis often occurs in multiple places, the key is to use an MRI scan to see which specific area needs surgery. On the same day, 5 hours after the operation, the patient should be able to get back out of bed, since the elderly in particular know that prolonged physical inactivity is harmful.
Surgeries to treat stenosis will increase as the population continues to age. At our neurosurgical clinic in Cologne, we are well prepared for the increased demand and we don’t work with waiting lists. This helps us to guarantee quick treatment.
However, just like with other treatments I believe ‘less is more’, which is why we only opt for surgery when it is
necessary.
Expertise provides assurance!
in both the lower back and neck.
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You decide the urgency of our help; we ensure no delays since waiting times
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highly specialized
With over 22,000 successful surgeries under our belt, the RÜCKENDOC team carries out about 1,500 spinal operations each year.
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microdiscectomy
By employing our perfected 3D microscopy technology, we ensure you receive the best minimally invasive surgical opportunities.
The stenosis surgery takes place under general anesthesia and is performed by an experienced team of surgeons and anesthesiologists. The procedure is minimally invasive, which means that only a small incision is needed. This minimizes the risk of complications and speeds up recovery.
As with any surgery, there are risks, ranging from general health risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure to specific surgical risks such as infection and blood loss. You will be fully informed about these risks before you consent to the surgery.
The stenosis surgery takes place under general anesthesia and is performed by an experienced team of surgeons and anesthesiologists. The procedure is minimally invasive, which means that only a small incision is needed. This minimizes the risk of complications and speeds up recovery.
As with any surgery, there are risks, ranging from general health risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure to specific surgical risks such as infection and blood loss. You will be fully informed about these risks before you consent to the surgery.
After the surgery
The most important goal is to eliminate the source of the pain and improve your quality of life. Postoperative care is aimed at resuming daily activities as quickly as possible. Remaining in a state of fear and inactivity is not conducive to recovery.
Cologne, your gateway to first-class spine treatment.
Pain free in 3 simple steps
Contact us
fill in the contact form and one of our specialists will respond within 24 hours. A consultation can be planed within a week.
Physical exam and MRI
Besides a detailed interview a neurological examination take place and a MRI is made. Your therapeutic options are discussed right away.
Our German efficiency makes it possible to do this with in a few hours
surgery
If a spinal surgery is the best option you will meet our anesthesiologists right away and the operation can be performed within a day or two.