Spinal stenosisis a common condition that can cause symptoms of both back and leg pain. The most common problems associated with spinal stenosis occur when the nerves that go down the legs are compressed in the spinal canal. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.There are several causes of spinal stenosis, but all are associated with loss of space available for the spinal nerves. Therefore, when making the diagnosis of spinal stenosis, your healthcare provider will be looking for signs of compression in and around the spinal canal. Below are some of the test commonly used to help make the diagnosis of spinal stenosis.
Spinal stenosisis a common condition that can cause symptoms of both back and leg pain. The most common problems associated with spinal stenosis occur when the nerves that go down the legs are compressed in the spinal canal. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.
There are several causes of spinal stenosis, but all are associated with loss of space available for the spinal nerves. Therefore, when making the diagnosis of spinal stenosis, your healthcare provider will be looking for signs of compression in and around the spinal canal. Below are some of the test commonly used to help make the diagnosis of spinal stenosis.
Medical History and ExaminationUniversal Images Group/Getty ImagesThe medical history is the most important tool to diagnosis stenosis as it will tell your healthcare provider about your symptoms, possible causes for your spinal stenosis, and other possiblecauses of back pain.The physical examination in a patient with spinal stenosis will give your healthcare provider information about exactly where the nerve compression likely exists. Some important factors that should be investigated are any areas of sensory abnormalities or numbness, the nature of your reflexes, and any muscular weakness.
Medical History and Examination
Universal Images Group/Getty Images
The medical history is the most important tool to diagnosis stenosis as it will tell your healthcare provider about your symptoms, possible causes for your spinal stenosis, and other possiblecauses of back pain.
The physical examination in a patient with spinal stenosis will give your healthcare provider information about exactly where the nerve compression likely exists. Some important factors that should be investigated are any areas of sensory abnormalities or numbness, the nature of your reflexes, and any muscular weakness.
X-RayAn X-ray is a simple, easy to perform procedure, and the risks of X-rays are minimal. The X-ray will show your healthcare provider the bones of your spine. The X-ray is helpful is looking forcauses of spinal stenosisincluding tumors, traumatic injury,spinal arthritisor inherited abnormalities.
X-Ray
An X-ray is a simple, easy to perform procedure, and the risks of X-rays are minimal. The X-ray will show your healthcare provider the bones of your spine. The X-ray is helpful is looking forcauses of spinal stenosisincluding tumors, traumatic injury,spinal arthritisor inherited abnormalities.
MRI TestAn MRI has become the most frequently used study to diagnose spinal stenosis. TheMRI uses magnetic signals(instead of X-rays) to produce images of the spine. MRIs are helpful because they show more structures, includingnerves, muscles, and ligaments than seen on X-rays or CT scans. MRIs are helpful at showing exactly what is causing pressure on the nerves of the spine, and the precise location of the problem.
MRI Test
An MRI has become the most frequently used study to diagnose spinal stenosis. TheMRI uses magnetic signals(instead of X-rays) to produce images of the spine. MRIs are helpful because they show more structures, includingnerves, muscles, and ligaments than seen on X-rays or CT scans. MRIs are helpful at showing exactly what is causing pressure on the nerves of the spine, and the precise location of the problem.
MyelogramThe myelogram is an X-ray, with an added twist. Dye is injected into thespinal fluidaround the spinal cord and nerves. The dye shows up on X-rays around these nerves unless there is no space surrounding the nerves. Because of increasing use of MRIs, myelograms are much less commonly performed these days. However, they can be very useful in some situations where patients may be unable to have an MRI, for example in patients with cardiac pacemakers.
Myelogram
The myelogram is an X-ray, with an added twist. Dye is injected into thespinal fluidaround the spinal cord and nerves. The dye shows up on X-rays around these nerves unless there is no space surrounding the nerves. Because of increasing use of MRIs, myelograms are much less commonly performed these days. However, they can be very useful in some situations where patients may be unable to have an MRI, for example in patients with cardiac pacemakers.
CT ScanA CT scan is also similar to an X-ray, but provides a better degree of differentiation of tissues in your body; in other words, you can see more, because more structures show up on a CT scan.CT scans, often called ‘CAT’ scans,provide your healthcare provider with a clear picture of the bones, but areas of compression within the spinal canal are only partially visualized. A CT scan can be done after a myelogram to clearly show areas of nerve compression.
CT Scan
A CT scan is also similar to an X-ray, but provides a better degree of differentiation of tissues in your body; in other words, you can see more, because more structures show up on a CT scan.CT scans, often called ‘CAT’ scans,provide your healthcare provider with a clear picture of the bones, but areas of compression within the spinal canal are only partially visualized. A CT scan can be done after a myelogram to clearly show areas of nerve compression.
Bone Scan
Treatment of Spinal StenosisTreatment of spinal stenosis can often be accomplished withsimple, non-invasive treatments. It is often the case that allowing inflammation to subside, improving spinal posture, and relieving stress on the back can alleviate symptoms sufficiently.However, there are some situations where people have persistent symptoms despite non-surgical treatments. In these situations, asurgical procedureto create more room for the spinal nerves may be considered.
Treatment of Spinal Stenosis
Treatment of spinal stenosis can often be accomplished withsimple, non-invasive treatments. It is often the case that allowing inflammation to subside, improving spinal posture, and relieving stress on the back can alleviate symptoms sufficiently.
However, there are some situations where people have persistent symptoms despite non-surgical treatments. In these situations, asurgical procedureto create more room for the spinal nerves may be considered.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sadeghpour ASR.Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Diagnosis and Management.Journal of Spine. 2013. doi:10.4172/2165-7939.s2-005.Johns Hopkins Medical.Bone Scan.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sadeghpour ASR.Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Diagnosis and Management.Journal of Spine. 2013. doi:10.4172/2165-7939.s2-005.Johns Hopkins Medical.Bone Scan.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sadeghpour ASR.Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Diagnosis and Management.Journal of Spine. 2013. doi:10.4172/2165-7939.s2-005.Johns Hopkins Medical.Bone Scan.
Sadeghpour ASR.Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Diagnosis and Management.Journal of Spine. 2013. doi:10.4172/2165-7939.s2-005.
Johns Hopkins Medical.Bone Scan.
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