The narrowing of the spaces in the spine backbone
results in pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots. The
narrowing down may involve a small part or a large area of the spine.
This narrowing may be a result of an injury to the spine due to accident
or a natural aging process. Usually spinal stenosis arrives in both men
and women after the age of 50.
To enable the
doctor to decide whether spinal stenosis surgery is required or not a
patient needs to give to the surgeon his complete medical history.
Without any biases about the symptoms and the general health condition,
the patient should submit the information to doctor. The medical
professional will proceed with the physical test and examinations then.
This
is done to enable the doctor to form his own expert opinion. The
patient&rsquos movements are checked. Any painful symptoms when the
patient overextends the spine by bending backwards are also checked. The
examination is done basically for the normal neurologic function such as
muscle strength, reflexes and sensation.
When X rays, MRIs and
Computer axial tomography (CAT) are common for even ordinary types of
diseases, how an important one like spinal stenosis can escape these
tests? A bone scan is also performed along with other tests.
In
many cases the non-surgical treatment is not the permanent answer to
treat spinal stenosis. The non-surgical methods may relieve your pain in
some cases. But when the weakness and the numbness of the back and legs
persist, the surgical operation is the only option left.
If the
state of the patient&rsquos health demands so, he may be operated
immediately. Patient's preference is also one of the important factors
in deciding about the operation.
The purpose of the surgery is
simple and direct. That is, to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord
or nerves and to maintain alignment and strength of the spine. The
surgeon knows how to achieve the best results. The diseased parts need
to be adjusted, removed and trimmed, wherever necessary. Various devices
are used to strengthen the unstable segments.
In spite of the
best efforts of the surgeon, operation is not the final answer. He will
prescribe the post operation exercising regimen. But then with such
methods the present damage can be healed to a great extent and the
chances of future trouble is drastically reduced as well.
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