Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
Most people only associate spinal stenosis with back pain, but this condition can also cause a wide range of other symptoms. These can include leg pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities, and problems with bladder or bowel function. In some cases, people may also experience balance issues or muscle weakness. (3)
The severity of spinal stenosis symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people may only experience mild discomfort, while others may have more severe symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life. It’s essential to seek medical help and consultation if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, as they may be a sign of spinal stenosis.
Pain
If you have ever experienced pain down your legs, you may have wondered if you had a pinched nerve. This is a common symptom of spinal stenosis – a condition that affects the spine and puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause pain in the arms, legs, neck, or back. The intensity of the pain secondary to spinal stenosis can vary from person to person, and may get worse over time.
- Leg pain – Spinal stenosis may cause leg pain that worsens with physical activity (when you walk, stand, or climb stairs). The pain is often worse when you are standing or walking and improves when you sit down or lean forward. In later stages, it is also associated with numbness or tingling in your legs or feet; weakness in your legs; and difficulty balancing.
- Arm pain – It is a common symptom of spinal stenosis. The pain may be caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the nerves in the spine. This can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in the arm and hand. The pain may be sharp or a dull ache and it may travel down the arm to the hand. Arm pain can also occur when you reach up overhead or twist your body.
- Back pain – In people with spinal stenosis, back pain is often caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal. This can put pressure on the nerves that run through the spine and cause pain. The back pain in this condition may also be due to other factors such as age-related changes in the bones and discs, or a previous injury.
- Neck pain – It is also a common complaint in people with spinal stenosis. The pain may be due to the narrowing of the cervical canal, which can put pressure on the nerves that run through the spine in the neck area. This pressure further leads to pain, tingling sensations, or numbness in the neck, shoulders, and arms.
The pain may worsen when you move your head or neck, or when you stand or walk for long periods of time. It may also improve when you rest.
There are several things you can do to help relieve neck pain caused by spinal stenosis. Keep your head and neck straight or in a neutral position as much as possible. Avoid bending your head forward or backward. Avoid twisting your head from side to side.
If you are experiencing pain in any part of the body along with numbness or tingling, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Weakness
Your spine is a small collection of bones (vertebrae) that stack on top of each other. Between each vertebra is a disc which helps to cushion the spine and acts as a shock absorber. The spinal cord runs through the spinal canal, a passageway in the spine. The narrowing of the spinal canal in spinal stenosis can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs.
Weakness in spinal stenosis can be secondary to several causes. However, there are some key things to look out for. One of the most common causes is problems with the nerves that come out of the spine and go to the muscles. These nerves can be damaged by the narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to weakness in those muscles. Another common cause is problems with the blood supply to the muscles. When the space around the spinal cord is narrowed, it can reduce blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles, leading to weakness. Finally, if there is any instability in the spine due to bone spurs or herniated discs, this can also lead to muscle weakness.
Numbness
It is not uncommon for people with spinal stenosis to experience numbness in their extremities. This condition is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the nerves leading to the arms and legs. When these nerves are compressed, they can’t function properly, which can lead to a loss of feeling or sensation in the areas they serve.
Several things that can contribute to numbness in people with spinal stenosis. The compression of the nerves can cause them to malfunction, and this can lead to a decrease in blood flow and oxygenation. Additionally, when the nerves are compressed they can become irritated, which can cause pain and discomfort. Finally, if the stenosis is severe enough it can actually damage the nerves, leading to permanent numbness.
Tingling
There are many causes of tingling in the hands and feet, two of the most common ones include diabetes and spinal stenosis. If you’re experiencing tingling in your extremities, it could be a sign that you have spinal stenosis. This condition often develops secondary to a narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the nerves that run through it. As a result, you may experience tingling in your hands and feet.
There are several things that can cause tingling in spinal stenosis, including age-related changes, arthritis, and disc degeneration. It’s important to consult a doctor (preferably neurophysician) if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, as they may be indicative of a more serious problem.
Problems with walking and balance
Spinal stenosis affects the spine and can cause problems with walking and balance. A constant pressure on the nerves and spinal cord in this condition can lead to problems with movement and balance.
People with spinal stenosis may have difficulty walking, especially uphill or on uneven surfaces. They may also experience a loss of balance, which can increase their risk of falls. In some cases, people may be unable to walk at all.
There are several things you can do to help improve your walking and balance if you have spinal stenosis. First, make sure you exercise regularly. Exercise is the best way to improve your flexibility and strength, which can make it easier to walk and stay balanced. Second, try to maintain a healthy weight.
Loss of hand function
Loss of hand function is a common complaint among patients with spinal stenosis. Several factors that can contribute to loss of hand function in patients with spinal stenosis. One of the most common is compression of the nerves that run through the spinal cord. This can cause weakness, numbness, and tingling in the hands and fingers.
Other factors that can contribute to loss of hand function include muscle weakness, poor posture, and inflammation around the spine. These factors can lead to decreased mobility and strength in the hands, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
Loss of bowel control
Loss of bowel control is a common symptom of severe cases of spinal stenosis. The narrowed spinal canal can put pressure on the nerves that control the bowels, leading to problems with regularity, constipation, and in some cases, complete loss of bowel control. For a majority of people, this is one of the most frustrating and debilitating symptoms of spinal stenosis. There are a number of things you can do to help manage bowel control issues related to spinal stenosis:
- Drinking plenty of fluids and eat fiber-rich foods to keep things moving smoothly.
- Avoid sitting still or for long periods of time – get up and move around every hour or so.
- Use over-the-counter medications such as stool softeners or laxatives as needed.
- If constipation is a problem, consider a probiotic supplement to help improve gut health.
Loss of bladder control
Spinal stenosis can cause loss of bladder control. This is because the spinal cord and the nerves that come from it, control the bladder. When these nerves are compressed, it can lead to problems with bladder function.
There are many potential causes of bladder control problems in people with spinal stenosis. For example, the compression of the spinal cord caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal can interfere with messages from the brain to the bladder that allow us to control when we urinate. Additionally, if the nerves that run between the spinal cord and bladder are affected by stenosis, this can also lead to problems with bladder control. These changes can lead to loss of bladder control which results in frequent urination, urinary urgency, and dribbling.