SPINAL CANAL STENOSIS IN THE LUMBAR

1. What does a stenosis in the lumbar spine mean?

This condition, whose medical meaning is "Lumbar spinal stenosis", means the narrowing of the channel in the lumbar spine through which the nerves pass. The natural result of this situation is that it affects and restricts daily activities by compressing the nerves.

2. At what ages is lumbar stenosis seen?

Although the lumbar stenosis can sometimes be seen as a completely congenital event in young and middle ages, it is a condition that usually occurs in old age. It occurs as a result of aging of the spine, and this stenosis may result in compression on neural structures and sometimes spine instability (slacking).

3. What are the symptoms of lumbar stenosis?

Low back pain and limitation in waist movements are the first signs. Later, pain, numbness, cramping or sluggishness develop in the legs after walking a certain distance. While the findings occur after long distance walking, the distance covered becomes shorter day by day due to pain and numbness. Most patients are more comfortable walking bent forward.

4. How is lumbar stenosis diagnosed?

In fact, patients' complaints are quite typical. It is typical to travel shorter distances in the last 1-2 years, having back pain for a while. Patients first state that they can walk 200-300 meters, 50-60 meters while walking 500-600 meters, and that they cannot continue their journey without resting for 5-10 minutes due to pain and numbness. The definitive diagnosis of the patient is made by MR examination of the lumbar spine. Stenosis is diagnosed in this examination. It is diagnosed whether there is a slip or slack in the waist.

5. Can lumbar stenosis be treated with medication?

If the stenosis in the spinal canal is mild, it can be treated with exercise. However, if there is pressure on the nerves, the pressure must be removed.

6. Is it enough to remove the pressure in the lumbar narrow canal?

Sometimes instability (slack) or slippage may accompany the waist. If the possibility of slipping or slacking will increase with the removal of the pressure, a screw fixing operation should also be performed in the same session.

7. What are interspinous devices?

Sometimes intervertebral stenosis can be slightly reduced with a small interspinous device placed in the posterior part of the spine. This situation is generally preferred in elderly patients where the pressure is at a level, it is caused by ligaments and who are uncomfortable with general narcosis.