Stenosis in the waist is a problem that occurs as a result of the discs between the vertebrae bending towards the spinal cord or the diameter of the spinal canal narrowing. Dear patients, in this article, I will give you detailed information about lumbar stenosis, that is, lumbar stenosis. Stenosis, which occurs in our spine and carries risks of being bedridden in the long term, can be controlled without making your life difficult with early diagnosis and correct treatment planning.
How Does a Narrow Canal Form in the Waist?
Dear patients, our spine has an important place in the posture and movements of our body and forms the basis of our skeleton. The spine consists of vertebrae that are connected to each other. There are disc structures with a gel-like texture between the vertebrae to prevent them from being damaged or wearing out each other during movement. When the vertebrae come together, the spinal canal is formed, through which the spinal nerves pass. Stenosis occurs when conditions such as expansion or deformation of the disc, bone, vessel or ligament in this canal occur, creating pressure on the canal. The width of the spinal canal is different in the waist, back and neck. Therefore, it is important to make an evaluation according to the region where the disease occurs.
Today we will talk about stenosis in the waist area. Stenosis in the waist is a problem that occurs quite frequently between the L2 and L5 vertebrae. When the stenosis rate in the canal is 25%, it is considered mild, and when it is 50% or more, it is considered severe stenosis. There are many different reasons that may cause stenosis in the waist. Now I want to tell you about these reasons.
What Causes Lumbar Stenosis?
There may be many different causes of lumbar stenosis. Some people are especially in the risk group, and it is important for these people to act by taking into account the symptoms of stenosis. Now I would like to briefly talk about the problems that cause narrow canal in the waist.
Accident or Trauma: Cracks or fractures may occur in spinal injuries caused by impact. These deformations cause damage to the spinal canal. They can melt and cause stenosis.
Bone Growth (Spinal Osteoarthritis): When disintegration or wear occurs in the facet joints connecting the vertebrae, the vertebrae rub against each other. In this case, abnormal bone growth may occur. Inflammation that occurs with bone growth also has a triggering effect on the stenosis.
Degenerative Disc Disease: The discs located between the vertebrae deteriorate over time and for various reasons. After these deteriorations, bulging may occur on the discs. When the spinal canal becomes curved, lumbar stenosis occurs.
Ligament Thickening: It is possible for the ligaments in the spinal canal to thicken or turn into bone tissue. When this happens, pressure occurs on the nerves in the spinal canal and a stenosis occurs.
Tumors: Although tumors located in the spinal cord, the membranes covering the spinal cord, or the spaces between the vertebrae are very rare, they also cause stenosis when they occur.
Rheumatoid: This disease, which occurs at younger ages and damages tissues such as bones and joints, may cause stenosis.
Disc Herniation: In people with a hernia problem in the lumbar region, a stenosis can also occur, depending on the direction and severity of the herniation.
Waist Slip: Waist Slip is also one of the problems that causes narrow canal.
Risk Groups for Lumbar Stenosis
Dear patients, lumbar stenosis is one of the problems we encounter more often with advancing age. Although it is one of them, it can also be seen at an early age depending on various conditions. Especially the genetic factors I have just mentioned are among the important reasons why stenosis is seen at an early age. Now I would like to tell you about other risks that invite this disease.
Age: 50 years and over The risk of developing stenosis is higher in patients with stenosis.
Osteoarthritis: People with this disease, which occurs in the cartilage tissue layer and causes bone growth, have a significant risk of stenosis.
Genetics: Some people have a narrower spinal canal from birth. Stenosis may occur in these people over time.
Other diseases: If you are diagnosed with any of the diseases I mentioned above, you are considered in the risk group for stenosis.
Symptoms of Lumbar Stenosis
If I had to briefly mention the general symptoms of lumbar stenosis;
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Pain in the back or waist area
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Pain in the legs (one or both legs)
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Loss of strength and numbness in the legs
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Urinary incontinence
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For a long time Inability to stand up
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Difficulty walking
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Impotence in men
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When bending forward Symptoms such as symptoms relieving when sitting down must be evaluated carefully.
Be Careful: If you have difficulty walking distances longer than 500 meters and feel the need to rest by sitting constantly due to pain during your walks, you should definitely see a specialist.
How is Lumbar Stenosis Diagnosed?
To diagnose lumbar stenosis, or more commonly known as lumbar stenosis, it is necessary to first perform a physical examination and then detailed imaging for differential diagnosis. Dear patients, I would like to briefly tell you about the diagnosis process of this disease.
Physical Examination: In diagnosing lumbar stenosis, a detailed physical examination must first be performed and the patient's medical history must be listened to. In this way, correct guidance for differential diagnosis can be made more easily.
X-ray: Bone formations that will narrow the spinal canal An x-ray must be taken to view the spine.
MR: MRI, which we also know as magnetic resonance imaging, is preferred to take a cross-sectional image of the spine. In this diagnostic method, damage to the discs and connective tissue, as well as possible spinal tumors, can be detected.
Computed Tomography: Herniated discs, bone formations and tumors can be diagnosed with this method.
Treatment of Lumbar Stenosis
Dear patients, first of all, I would like to underline that surgery is not the only treatment for lumbar stenosis. Especially since my patients over a certain age are hesitant about surgical methods, they ignore the symptoms that indicate this problem and avoid seeing a specialist until they reach a point of no return. However, stenosis can be controlled with correct planning and the person's quality of life can be improved without the need for surgery.
Physical Therapy: Exercises performed to strengthen the back, waist and leg muscles, teach movements that will trigger the narrow canal or cause progression in daily life, allowing the person to control his/her muscles under control. Ensuring movement is possible with physical therapy.
Medication Treatment: In lumbar stenosis, drug treatment treats the pain, not the disease. Medication can be applied to keep the person's quality of life high and to prevent the decline of mobility due to fear caused by pain.
Epidural Steroid Injection: Corticosteroid is injected into the area with a needle placed in the spinal canal. This injection reduces inflammation in the area, which helps reduce the pressure on the spinal cord and relax the person.
Be Careful: If detected early, the stenosis in the waist can be controlled and the person's quality of life can be stabilized without the need for surgery. It is also very important to monitor the status of the problem with regular checks in this process.
Surgery: Surgical intervention in lumbar stenosis is preferred to prevent the person from losing the ability to move. At this point, urinary and fecal incontinence; If there are advanced symptoms such as becoming bedridden, surgical intervention is required.
Dear patients, surgical intervention may become necessary in delayed diagnoses and uncontrolled cases. So much so that late diagnosis reduces the chance of success of surgical intervention. Therefore, please consult a specialist as soon as you notice the symptoms of stenosis in the waist.
When is Surgery Preferred in Lumbar Stenosis?
We mentioned that the process is generally controlled without the need for surgery in people with this problem, but in some cases, surgical intervention may be inevitable. You may be confined to bed by being afraid of surgery for stenosis in the waist, so if you have the symptoms listed below, be sure to consult a specialist.
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Loss of bowel and bladder control, that is, fecal and urinary incontinence,
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Continuous sitting and leaning forward Walking less than 500 meters without support upon request,
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Impotence,
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Severe numbness in the legs, loss of sensation and strength. Symptoms indicate that the stenosis in the waist is advanced.
Be Careful: Although there is no definitive treatment for stenosis in the waist, how much care should you take about your health? The faster you get a diagnosis, the easier it is to keep the process under control.
Can Lumbar Stenosis Be Prevented?
Although it is not possible to prevent lumbar stenosis that occurs due to genetics or trauma, it is actually very important to reduce the risks of this disease. Therefore, living a healthy life with a few changes in your daily life will seriously reduce the risks of the disease.
Exercise Regularly: Do exercises that will strengthen the muscles in the waist area and help keep the spine flexible. Especially swimming, cycling and walking
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