The difference between lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical spinal stenosis is mainly the location of the problem. however, between the two lumbar spinal stenosis is the more severe form of stenosis.
The cervical spinal nerves form the cervical plexus, the brachial spinal nerves form the brachial plexus, the lumbar and sacral spinal nerves form the lumbosacral plexus, and the sacral spinal nerves form the sacral plexus.
Spinal stenosis is a degenerative disease of the spine that narrows the spinal column and places pressure on the spinal chord causing pain. It is part of the aging process but can also be brought on by injury, birth defects, or infection in the spinal column. It can be very painful, but is not considered a life threatening disease. Stenosis develops slowly over time and the symptoms increase with time. Often the disease is associated with arthritis of the back. There are two basic types of spinal stenosis: lumbar and cervical. Lumbar is present in the lower back and cervical is in the neck area. Seventy-five percent of spinal stenosis is in the lumbar region of the body. Symptoms of spinal stenosis include pain and tingling that radiates down the lower leg from the buttock area. The pain is caused from standing or walking too far and immediately goes away when sitting. It can also be relieved by hunching forward or other similar motions which cause the spine to open. The lumbar spinal stenosis is sometimes confused with blockage in the lower legs because that will generate similar pain which is relieved also by sitting and resting. Other symptoms include a hot and cold feeling in the legs, falling and general clumsiness. Cervical spinal stenosis is a more serious form of the disease as it can cause paralysis. The symptoms for cervical spinal stenosis are a general feeling of weakness and numbness, neck and shoulder pain, and sometimes loss of bowel or bladder control. In some patients evidence of spinal stenosis has been found and they have had no symptoms of the disease at all. Diagnosis of the disease is made by observing the patients posture and walking abilities and by using x-rays, MRI's, or CAT scans. Sometimes a myelogram is used where dye is injected into the spinal column and observed with an x-ray. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment plans can be determined. Treatment includes bed rest, diet to lower weight, medication to relieve pain, or surgery to widen the spinal chord column.
Stenosis means narrowing or stricture. Examples: spinal stenosis, coronary artery stenosis, ureteral stenosis.
Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis face a long road of pain management. Many deal with recurring neurological problems or radiating numbness. Those diagnosed with spinal stenosis have a range of treatment options available to them, but will likely never be completely free of their symptoms. Because many adults face this disease in later life, it is a good idea to understand its possible causes. Preventative measures and discussing back pain with a doctor during regular checkups can ensure a healthy lower back for much of an individual's lifetime.Identifying Spinal StenosisThose who believe they may be suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis should seek a physician's advice. An MRI can diagnose the condition in any area of the spine, and confirm the exact region to identify possible treatment options.Once spinal stenosis has been diagnosed, a doctor will want to confirm the cause. This will help improve the quality of treatment and prevent further injury. In the case of a tumor or certain diseases, immediate action may be necessary to ensure the well-being of the patient. This is especially true of malignant cancers, which are commonly fatal when found in the spine.Most Common CausesIn older individuals, lumbar spinal stenosis is often the result of arthritis of the spine. This typically occurs after middle age.Bone diseases are often the cause of spinal stenosis. These includes Paget's disease, which can cause enlarged or malformed vertebrae. Achondroplasia, the disease commonly associated with dwarfism, can also result in this condition.When a spinal disk is herniated, or moved out of place, it can result in spinal stenosis. This cause may be more common among athletes and middle-aged men. It usually occurs after a strenuous activity. Some congenital defects can be a risk factor for a herniated disk. Any other spinal injury that creates pressure on the spinal cord can also result in a similar form of spinal stenosis.Many different types of tumors that occur in the spine may result in spinal stenosis. As they grow in size, symptoms may get worse. The rapid nature of some cancers can result in a very rapid increase, over time, of an individual's pain.
There are two types of spinal stenosis, that of the lower back and cervical spinal stenosis. Lower back spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar area. Cervical spinal stenosis is a narrowing in the spinal canal of the neck.
Cervical spinal stenosis is a broad term which refers to a range of symptoms which can result from the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck. ... This canal sits directly behind the bony blocks, or veterbrae which form the spine. It contains the ... This is known as cervical foraminal stenosis.
Our spinal cord protects the nerves that send messages to the brain. It is made up of a series of connected bones or vertebrae. These vertebrae are stacked on top of each other forming an ‘S’ shape with the curve being the most at the neck and in the lower back. Each vertebra has a disc between them which acts as a shock absorber. Unfortunately, though there are situations where the spine can be injured and needs surgery. Sometimes the spinal cord narrows either due to aging, the presence of an underlying spinal condition, or because some people are born with a congenital form. The narrowing of the spinal cord is called Spinal Stenosis. When this happens, the nerves traveling through the spinal canal are pressurized. While there is no cure for Spinal Stenosis, there are several ways to manage the pain, including spine fixation treatments. Ranka Hospital, Pune provides treatment and facilities for spine problems.
Lumbar Puncture.
The preganglionic fibers that connect a spinal nerve with an autonomic ganglion in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord are part of the sympathetic nervous system. These fibers originate from the lateral horns of the spinal cord and are myelinated, allowing for rapid signal transmission. They typically travel through the ventral roots and enter the sympathetic chain or prevertebral ganglia to synapse with postganglionic neurons.
As I understand it Congenital Spinal Stenosis is a form of Spinal Stenosis that one is born with rather than an age induced degenerative condition. Spinal Stenosis refers to the constriction of the canal and other structures of the spine that our nervous system runs thru. If the condition is severe it could put pressure on the neural structures of the spine causing pain. Please understand I am not in the medical field but have been researching this and other spinal conditions as my husband has reciently been diagnosed with a number of spinal issues that we wish to understand.
Patients with the most severe form of pulmonary stenosis may die in infancy