Stenosis canal disease is a structural disorder that occurs when the vertebral canal located in the middle of the vertebrae narrows in different directions. The spinal canal can narrow in any direction, strangling the spinal cord. Spinal canal stenosis is most commonly seen at the L3-4, L4-5, L2-3 levels, and is very rare at the L1-2 and L5-S1 levels. As the Stenosis spinal canal disease progresses unless treated, it can be seen at more and more levels. The disease may be congenital or acquired. While congenital conditions describe disorders that are present at birth, acquired conditions are used to describe diseases that occur later.
What Causes Stenosis?
Stenosis. There are two general causes of spinal canaldisease. Congenital causes are present when a person is born from his/her mother. It is possible to divide acquired causes into two. Acquired causes may occur due to a disease or due to aging. Stenosis, which occurs due to aging, may develop due to degenerative arthritis. Degenerative arthritis, or calcification as it is commonly known, is seen in most people over the age of 60. Although this condition usually occurs due to age, excessive load on the joints due to obesity can also cause degenerative arthritis. Spinal canal stenosis may occur with two different forms of arthritis. This disease, known as osteoarthritis and occurring due to aging, can cause the discs to narrow and become obvious due to the ossification of the cartilage tissue. Another reason why spinal canal stenosis occurs in young people is rheumatoid arthritis. This disease, for which genetic predisposition is very important, is also known as inflammatory rheumatism and affects the spinal joints. This condition plays a role in the formation of stenosis.
Acquired conditions that cause stenosis disease can be generalized as disorders that occur later in the spine region. Tumors occurring in the spine may be a trigger for a narrow spinal canal. Spinal fracture, lumbar slip or fracture in this area The formation of rupture may also cause stenosis. The fibrous strip that starts from the occipital bone and attaches to the back parts of the vertebral bodies is called the posterior longitudinal ligament. This strip extends to the coccyx. As a result of calcification in this strip, the ligament thickens and spinal canal stenosis occurs. Paget's disease can also cause stenosis.
stenosis can occur without any symptoms. When the progression of the disease reaches a critical level that creates a feeling of pressure in the area, symptoms related to the narrow spinal canal begin to appear. When spinal canal stenosis becomes evident, the most common problems are low back, leg pain and neurogenic claudication. During this process, pain and numbness are generally felt in the hip and thigh area. While sitting, leaning forward and lying down are beneficial for reducing the feeling of pain and numbness, the opposite of these movements, standing and bending the waist or spine backwards, increases the feeling of pain. Patients feel better because the forward bending movement is a position that widens the narrow spinal canal. In the later stages of the disease, the quality of life gradually decreases and numbness and even paralysis in the legs may be observed. Symptoms such as urinary or fecal incontinence and impotence may be observed.
How is Stenosis Diagnosed?
In the diagnosis of stenosis, the patient's history is important. Change in the patient's walking posture usually gives an idea about the progression of the disease. In the patient's history, information such as when the pain and numbness started and in which areas there is pain, cramps or numbness is obtained. At the end of this information, the patient is given a physical and neurological examination. During the examination, the patient's reflexes and strength are measured. After the examination, examinations begin. X-ray, tomography and MRI for stenosis can confirm the diagnosis. By taking an x-ray of the lumbar spine, lumbar slippage, traumatic injuries, fractures and tumors in this region are visualized. Tomography is bad Since it gives more successful results in different tissues, it is preferred according to the suitability of the patient. MRI, or magnetic resonance, is preferred depending on the patient's condition, as it is more sensitive in soft tissues, unlike tomography. MRI should be preferred first. MRI and Tomography reveal the diagnosis of stenosis by measuring the diameter of the canal. Definitive stenosis for canal diameters below 10 millimeters; Relative stenosis is diagnosed for canal diameters between 10 and 12 millimeters. Stenosis literally means narrowing of a canal or hole. The absence of stenosis canal disease can be understood by the normal canal diameter. Normal canal diameter is determined as 12 millimeters and more.
Read: 0
