What is Vertebral Duct Stenosis: diagnosis, causes and treatment

What is canal stenosis?

The duct stenosis It occurs when the space inside the spine narrows, causing pressure on the nerves that run through the spine. This condition usually develops in the neck and lumbar region of the spine. Depending on the affected area, two main types of stenosis can be distinguished:

• Cervical stenosis: It occurs when narrowing occurs between the C1 and C7 vertebrae. This type of stenosis can compromise both the mobility and function of the arms and hands, generating symptoms such as pain or muscle weakness.
• lumbar stenosis: This is the most common form and affects the lower back between the lumbar vertebrae: L1 – L5. In this case, the narrowing mainly affects the nerves that control the legs, which can cause symptoms more focused on mobility and balance of the lower limbs.

Symptoms of stenosis

The main symptoms of spinal canal stenosis They vary depending on the location and severity of the narrowing, but generally include numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and chronic pain.

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The cervical stenosis It usually manifests in the upper limbs, and sufferers may experience dizziness, numbness or weakness in the arms and hands. In more severe cases, the pain may radiate from the neck to the shoulders and upper limbs, affecting both function and dexterity.

On the other hand, the symptoms of lumbar stenosis They are concentrated in the lower back and lower limbs. People often experience pain or a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which decreases when sitting or leaning forward. In addition, this pathology can affect balance control, causing instability when walking or weakness in the legs and feet.

Causes of spinal canal stenosis

The spine is made up of a series of bones that create a channel through which the nerves of the spinal cord pass. Spinal canal stenosis occurs when this channel becomes smaller, which puts pressure on the nerves. The main causes of this condition can be divided into primary and acquired.

Primary spinal stenosis is rare and originates from a defect present from birth. The acquired stenosis It can be caused by different reasons, including:

• Spinal injury or illness: There are diseases that cause inflammation in the spinal discs (herniated discs), or lumps caused by tumors that can cause stiffness and inflammation within the spinal canal. In addition, it is very common for this narrowing to occur in the case of injuries from falls or accidents.
• Age: Cartilage that becomes increasingly rough and rigid over the years can cause friction between the bones of the spine and lead to the growth of bone spurs. These cause pain and discomfort when the person moves, which greatly worsens the patient's quality of life as they become increasingly limited in their movements.

Diagnosis of spinal canal stenosis

The spinal column specialist trauma doctor will ask the patient a series of questions to establish his/her medical history: risk factors, possible causes, symptoms, etc. Once he/she has this data, he/she will confirm his/her diagnosis using 3 types of diagnostic imaging tests:

• X-rays: From an x-ray the doctor can establish if any excessive bone growth has occurred that is causing pressure in the spinal canal.
• Spinal MRI: This type of test allows you to obtain images that complement the x-ray since its more sensitive and specific images allow soft tissues such as ligaments and tumors to be visualized with greater precision.
• CT scan: Like MRI, CT allows for greater precision by using a mobile x-ray scanner to generate a 3D visualization of the patient's bone tissues.

These tests allow the specialist to obtain a clear and complete view of the spine, facilitating an accurate diagnosis and helping to plan an appropriate treatment for each patient.

Treatment for canal stenosis

There are different types of treatments that the doctor can recommend depending on the patient's situation.

In mild cases, the specialist may usually recommend conservative treatments such as medications and steroid injections to relieve pain, in addition to physiotherapy sessionsPain caused by stenosis can reduce the patient's physical activity, leading to muscle weakness. Physiotherapy is an excellent tool to prevent lumbar stenosis, since rehabilitation helps preserve muscle strength and the flexibility and stability of the spine.

Medications are only temporary measures, as they cannot be taken for long periods due to the adverse effects they can bring. A painkiller will help to cope with the pain, but the definitive cure has to be from a decompression procedure or a spine surgery to free the canal.

Spinal canal stenosis surgery

Two exists surgical procedures for spinal canal stenosis:

• Decompression procedure: This procedure is usually recommended when the patient has a high surgical risk, as is the case with older people, as it is minimally invasive and is performed under local anesthesia. It consists of removing the affected ligament using an instrument very similar to a needle, which allows the pressure on the nerves to be relieved without the need for major surgery.
• Spine surgery: This is the most effective treatment for cases of severe stenosisThere are different types of intervention, although today, the most experienced traumatologists use the minimally invasive surgery technique. This method solves the stenosis without the need to perform a spinal fusion, which, in addition to reducing risks during and after surgery, leads to a faster recovery time than open surgery.

What happens if spinal canal stenosis is not operated on?

If stenosis is not treated properly, symptoms can progressively worsen. Continued narrowing of the canal can cause pain, muscle weakness and loss of sensation. In cases of cervical stenosis, this can affect coordination, increasing the risk of falls. In cases of lumbar stenosis, it can make mobility and walking difficult. In addition, continued compression of the nerves can lead to serious complications, such as loss of bowel control or permanent nerve damage.

Spinal canal stenosis surgery is a very delicate procedure, but essential for treating this pathology. Therefore, it is essential to have an experienced traumatologist. that guarantees the best treatment for the patient.

If you have more questions, you can consult our team of internationally recognized traumatologists and pioneers in minimally invasive techniques in Spain.