Spinal Stenosis Pain
Spinal stenosis pain is a rare occurrence from this very common structural condition. This is because the overwhelming majority of people diagnosed with stenosis demonstrate minor cases which have been clinically proven not to cause symptoms. Remember, a narrowed central canal is not, in itself, inherently painful at all. It is only when a nerve structure is compressed that symptoms will develop and this does not represent the typical case of mild or even moderate stenotic change.
Spinal stenosis
is a condition in which the spinal canal is narrowed either by
back injury,
or more commonly,
degenerative
processes. Stenosis is a normal part of the aging process for most people. It is also one of the
scapegoat conditions
that are often blamed for enacting chronic back pain without definitive evidence of any neurological involvement.
Spinal Stenosis Pain Causes
Spinal stenosis describes a narrowing of the spinal canal. This is the area of the spine that contains the spinal cord and the lumbar spinal nerve roots
(cauda equina).
This passageway is usually more than wide enough to provide the cord with plenty of room to function normally. As we age, processes such as
arthritis in the spine
and
degenerative disc disease
contribute to the narrowing of this spinal canal. The condition can be diagnosed by
spinal MRI
or CT scan. Many patients discover that they have stenosis when undergoing imaging for an unrelated condition. They have not experienced any pain or symptoms from this condition… until now.The
nocebo effect
of this scary diagnosis can cause the start of symptoms in patients who demonstrated no back or neck pain previously. It can also make the pain of pre-existing conditions much, much worse. The description of the spinal canal closing in and clamping down on your
spinal cord
is enough to scare anyone half to death. Some patients do have pain and this is why they seek diagnostic evaluation. When stenosis is advanced and focused, it can certainly be the source of pain and large areas of paresthesia. However, when the stenotic change is conservative, there is likely to be some other causative mechanism enacting the pain, with the stenosis being coincidental.
Spinal Stenosis Pain Reality
Stenosis is a normal condition to experience as we age. Arthritis and disc degeneration are also normal parts of our journey to old age. The majority of people with spinal stenosis do not have any pain. Of the few patients who do have pain, the stenosis is sometimes a coincidental condition. This means that the pain exists, but it is not coming from the stenotic alterations. Patients with significant spinal structural issues, such as severe scoliosis, hyperlordosis, hyperkyphosis, large central herniations and advanced arthritic changes may be suffering from stenosis which not only causes pain, but also imparts major neurological dysfunction. Some of these patients will not be able to stand or walk and some may also suffer incontinence, sexual dysfunction and other very disabling consequences.
Recommendation on Spinal Stenosis Pain
Mild to moderate stenosis is usually nothing to
fear.
If you have minor stenosis, relax. It is not likely that it will cause you any significant problems in your life. Just make sure to keep perspective on the facts of the condition and stay in contact with your doctor for regular monitoring of the patency of the interior central canal diameter. If you are victimized by the nocebo effect of the condition, I can almost guarantee you will suffer greatly with pain. It is really a matter of subconscious suggestion being that powerful as to actually source symptoms. For patients with advanced stenosis related spinal pain, take time to research your treatment options carefully. Do not rush into surgery and be sure to get more than one opinion on the best course of action for your individual case profile.
Spinal Stenosis Pain to Back Pain
12/15/06 Revised 1/14/12
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