Stenosis is a general term for narrowing in any body passage, while spinal stenosis is a specific type of stenosis affecting the spinal canal or nerve openings (foramina) in the spine, causing compression of the spinal cord or nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness. Think of it as: all spinal stenosis is stenosis, but not all stenosis is spinal stenosis (e.g., coronary stenosis).
Types of spinal stenosis
Spinal issues, especially in the cervical or thoracic regions, can sometimes cause back pain and nausea. Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or compressed nerves in the spine can affect nearby structures, leading to discomfort in the back and digestive symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
It typically starts around the buttocks and radiates down the leg. As it progresses, it can result in pain in the feet. As compression increases, the burning pain will be associated with numbness and tingling. Not all patients will have both pain and numbness and tingling.
When the narrowing happens in your neck, it's called cervical spinal stenosis. It often causes stiffness, pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, or legs. It can even cause problems with your balance, coordination, and bowel or bladder control.
You may also experience headaches. Patients with spinal stenosis can also have back or neck pain.
Upper back pain between the shoulder blades may result from poor posture or muscle strain. However, it can also stem from more serious problems with the spine, such as scoliosis or osteoarthritis. Treatments for mild upper back pain include stretching exercises and pain relievers.
The primary symptom of stenosis at any site is pain and fatigue resulting from pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. People with stenosis of the central canal report pain that is sometimes vague and may come and go, but usually is noticeable in the lower back, lower extremities, or the buttocks.
For individuals seeking non-surgical options, a spinal stenosis specialist such as a neurologist or physiatrist may offer effective treatment. These specialists focus on diagnosing nerve-related issues and managing pain through non-invasive methods like medications, physical therapy, or injections.
The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back and goes all the way down the back of the leg into the foot. Symptoms can be experienced along any part of the nerve. They can have a sudden or slow onset and can vary from mild to severe.
In severe cases, spinal stenosis can cause a loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence).
Irritation of these nerves can therefore lead to such horrific stabbing or lightning-like pharyngeal pain that it can make it hard to swallow and is associated with nausea and vomiting. The condition is called is vago-glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
It can cause muscle weakness, chronic pain, numbness, and even headaches and dizziness. These symptoms can make it difficult to stay active yet maintaining an active lifestyle is necessary to prevent the worsening of the symptoms of spinal stenosis and further degeneration of the spine.
Spinal stenosis symptoms can mimic other conditions, such as herniated discs, sciatica, or even circulation problems. Many patients experience vague symptoms like leg pain, headaches, or numbness and weakness in the hands, any of which can be mistaken for other causes.
Radiating Pain in the Buttocks, Hips, and Legs
Compression of the nerves at the L4-L5 region frequently causes pain that radiates from the lower back and shoots down into the buttocks, hips, and legs. This sometimes manifests as sciatica — a sharp, burning pain following the path of the sciatic nerve.
It is rare for a spinal problem to cause tremors, but there are some reports of individuals with spinal cord compression experiencing tremors. In one report, a 91-year-old man developed tremors secondary to spinal cord compression in the neck, which doctors refer to as cervical myelopathy.
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Corticosteroid Injections
The medication used is a combination of corticosteroids and a local anesthetic, which together reduce inflammation in the spinal canal and relieve pain.
Weakness in One or Both Legs
Spinal stenosis can cause weakness in one leg or both legs, depending on which nerves are affected. If the stenosis is in the center of your spine, it might affect both legs.
Cervical stenosis can cause CSF flow alterations which can result in increased intracranial pressure and buildup of waste products.
There are a number of reasons why you might feel tired if you have lower back pain. It could be the constant energy drain from dealing with the pain all the time, not being able to sleep well because of the pain, or other accommodations and stressors that come with having persistent pain.
Organs, including kidneys and the pancreas, can cause pain that spreads to your upper back. The type of pain depends on the cause. It might feel like a continuous, dull ache or a sharp and sudden pinch. It may come and go with rest or activity.
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that builds strong bones and aids with calcium absorption (essential in preventing osteoporosis). It can also help maintain a healthy immune system and alleviate back pain by decreasing inflammation in your body.
Orthopedic doctors are specialists who treat shoulder and elbow pain. An orthopedic specialist can examine your shoulder or elbow and order imaging studies like X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds. He or she will identify what kind of pain you are experiencing, as well as what treatments will help.