The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons defines spinal stenosis as a narrowing of the spinal canal. As people age, normal wear on the spine can lead to hardening of soft tissues or increased bone growth, which in turn narrows the space in the...
Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which areas of the spine put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the spine. It can cause numbness in the legs, arms, back and shoulders, the loss of sensation in the feet and hands, a lack of...
The sciatic nerve refers to a nerve fiber that runs along the spinal cord and down to the buttocks, hips and backs of the legs, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. The sciatic nerve can become irritated, resulting in sciatica, a condition characterized...
Spinal decompression is a catchall phrase for back pain treatments that include nonsurgical options, such as traction, or operative procedures such as endoscopic decompression and laminectomy. The desired effect is the same for all three--to...
Lumbar canal stenosis occurs when the lumbar spinal canal narrows, squeezing the nerves that travel down your legs. As more years pass, the bone and tissue surrounding the canal expand and cause that narrowing; the canal itself is already narrow....
Claudication comes from the Latin word “claudico,” which means to limp. Neurogenic claudication refers to a condition that causes pain when you walk, causing you to limp. Unlike the vascular disease that occurs because of poor blood...
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord or narrows the openings where spinal nerves leave the spinal column. While there are many possible causes of spinal stenosis, all present with pain and...
If you suffer from the painful back condition spinal stenosis, you know how most exercises are difficult and painful. But some physical therapists are incorporating supported treadmill training into their patients' lives. This can be used in an...
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and is as big around as a human finger, according to Steven R. Garfin, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Orthopaedics at the University of California, San Diego. He explains the term...
A laminotomy is a procedure sometimes used to treat a herniated disc in the spine. The intervertebral discs are small, cylindrical discs in between each vertebra of the spine that serve as shock absorbers for the spine. A herniated disc results...
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by having one or more of the areas of the spine smaller than it should be. Lumbar spinal stenosis may be congenital, or it can be acquired from other conditions such as degenerative disc disease,...
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, and results in increased pressure on the spinal cord in the segment affected. It is classified based on the anatomical area affected (cervical, lumbar or thoracic), and most commonly is caused by...
Degenerative joint disease refers to osteoarthritis, a condition that can affect the neck, lower back, hips, knees and hands. According to April Chang-Miller, M.D., of the MayoClinic.com, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis,...
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal or opening in the lumbar region of the spine. The spinal canal houses your spinal cord. When the spinal canal becomes stenotic, it places pressure on surrounding nerves and/or the spinal...
Spinal stenosis refers to degeneration, or narrowing, of your spine -- usually in the cervical or lumbar regions of your back. Cervical spinal stenosis can compress the spinal cord and may cause major weakness or paralysis. Lumbar spinal stenosis...
Leg aches during or following physical activities such as climbing stairs are also known as exertional leg pain or claudication. Peripheral artery disease, chronic exertional compartment syndrome and lumbar spinal stenosis are a few of the...
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a spine condition that involves a narrowing of the spinal canal that impinges the nerves in the spine, resulting in back pain. The pain also can affect other nerves, such as the ones that lead to the legs and back. To...
