ClickCease
+1-915-850-0900 [email protected]
Select Page
Lateral Recess Stenosis: El Paso Back Clinic

Lateral Recess Stenosis: El Paso Back Clinic

by | Spinal Hygiene, Spine Care

The spine is the body’s central highway, with the spinal canal as the main lane that handles all the traffic. There are entrances and exits, or spinal cavities, that allow the nerves to branch off the spinal cord and run throughout the body. A traffic jam develops during lane closures, accidents, or construction at an entrance or exit. Lateral recess stenosis causes the narrowing of the spine’s lateral recess/Lee’s entrance, which can compress nerves, impede nerve circulation, and cause painful symptoms.Lateral Recess Stenosis: Injury Medical Chiropractic

Lateral Recess Stenosis

The spinal column provides a strong and flexible structure for the spinal cord. The nerves travel from the spinal cord through various openings and passageways to the rest of the body. One of the openings is known as the lateral recess. Stenosis means narrowing. When a lateral recess in a vertebra develops stenosis, the nerve in that area can get jammed/pinched with no room to move, causing varying symptoms and sensations.

Symptoms

Depending on where the stenosis is taking place (neck, middle or low back), common symptoms of lateral recess stenosis can include:

  • Back pain that can spread out to other areas.
  • Cramping that can spread out to other sites.
  • Radiating pain that worsens with movement and eases with rest.
  • Numbness or weakness of the legs or arms.
  • Electrical tingling sensations down the leg or arm.

Causes

The National Institute of Health lists the major causes:

Natural Wear and Tear

  • Natural aging with gradual degeneration remains the most common cause of stenosis.

Congenital – Born With Stenosis

Disease

Natural Aging Process

Traumatic Injury

  • Automobile crashes and accidents
  • Work Injuries
  • Sports injuries

Treatment

Lateral recess stenosis has no current cure, but there are options to treat stenosis symptoms.

Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

  • A chiropractic physical therapy team can relieve symptoms, restore function, and strengthen the muscles.
  • Muscle groups around the stenosis area are built up to take the pressure off of the area, alleviating symptoms.

Medications

  • A doctor or spine specialist may recommend or prescribe medication to ease symptoms. These include:
  • Tylenol – acetaminophen.
  • NSAIDS – Advil/ibuprofen or Aleve/naproxen.
  • Muscle relaxers

Steroid Injections

  • According to a study, neurogenic claudication is the main reason for disability and loss of independence in the elderly.
  • Neurogenic claudication describes pain and weakness in the buttocks and legs during physical activity that originates from the nerves, not the vessels.
  • This can happen from inflammation and swelling around a compressed nerve.
  • A steroid injection can decrease inflammation for several months.

Surgery

If activity modification, NSAIDs, bracing, and physical therapy don’t work or provide adequate relief, a doctor or specialist could recommend surgery.

Back Problems Chiropractor

References

American College of Rheumatology (n.d.) “Spinal Stenosis” https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Spinal-Stenosis

Arthritis Foundation (n.d.) “Corticosteroids” https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/corticosteroids/corticosteroids

Drug Design, Development and Therapy (2014) “Steroid for epidural injection in spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis” https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S78070

Lee, Seung Yeop, et al. “Lumbar Stenosis: A Recent Update by Review of Literature.” Asian spine journal vol. 9,5 (2015): 818-28. doi:10.4184/asj.2015.9.5.818

Liu, Kuan, et al. “Steroid for epidural injection in spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Drug design, development, and therapy vol. 9 707-16. Jan 30, 2015, doi:10.2147/DDDT.S78070

Medline Plus (n.d.) “Achondroplasia” https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/achondroplasia/

Microspine (n.d.) “Endoscopic Decompression” https://www.microspinemd.com/microspine-surgery/endoscopic-decompression/

National Institutes of Health (n.d.) “Spinal Stenosis” https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/spinal-stenosis

Northwest Medical Center (2022) “Lateral Recess/Foraminal Stenosis” https://nw-mc.com/lateral-recessforaminal-stenosis/

NSPC Brain and Spine Surgery (n.d.) Lateral Recess Stenosis https://nspc.com/lateral-recess-stenosis/

Raja A, Hoang S, Patel P, et al. Spinal Stenosis. [Updated 2022 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441989/

The Four Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease & Chiropractic Care

The Four Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease & Chiropractic Care

by | Spine Care

Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the degradation or wearing away of your spinal discs leads to pain and discomfort. Everyone�s discs wear down, but not every person experiences pain. That is the difference!

What are the Four Stages of DDD

Two of the main components of the spine are the vertebrae and the discs. The discs sit between vertebrae to provide cushion, support, and flexibility. Each disc is made up of a soft inner layer and a tough outer layer. Over time, or due to injury, the discs can lose their integrity, begin to thin and even tear in certain cases. Compromised discs increase the likelihood of pressure on nerves and friction between the vertebrae.

Like many diseases, degenerative disc disease has several possible stages. As the stages progress, the negative symptoms become more pronounced.

1st Stage

The first stage of degenerative disc disease may go unnoticed by the individual but can be identified by a chiropractor or other medical professional. The loss of the natural curvature of the spine can indicate the beginning of degenerative disc disease. Pain may not be apparent, but extra pressure is being placed on the spine which can lead to more rapid aging of the spine, nerves, joints, etc.

2nd Stage

The degradation of discs becomes more apparent in the second stage. They may look thinner, and it is common to see deformations in the bone, such as bone spurs. The curvature of the spine will become more unnatural and the spinal canal may become more narrow. Stage 2 is often where you will begin to notice some pain and discomfort.

3rd Stage

Stage 3 is marked by a more extreme change in the posture and curvature of the spine, along with more pain and loss of mobility. Nerve damage is common and scar tissue typically begins to form. Discs are even thinner than before, which can sometimes cause even more deformation of the bones.

4th Stage

The final stage of degenerative disc disease is the most severe and is typically considered irreversible. Discs are at their thinnest or gone altogether. The flexibility of the spine is extremely limited and pain is often considerable. Nerve damage can be severe and the bones of the spine may even begin to fuse together.

11860 Vista Del Sol Ste. 128 The Four Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease & Chiropractic Care El Paso, TX.

Doctor explaining various spine diseases by the example of plastic models

How Can Chiropractic Help DDD?

Chiropractic care is a preferred treatment option for degenerative disc disease for a variety of reasons. Because it is gentle and non-invasive, chiropractic is much less likely to create undesirable side effects�which are common with prescription medications and surgery. Obviously, the earlier the stage of degenerative disc disease, the more successful treatment can be. But chiropractic can be helpful even in the most extreme cases of degenerative disc disease.

Chiropractic treatments may include:

Chiro Adjustments

One of the most effective ways to treat degenerative disc disease is to ensure the spine is in proper alignment. Loss of alignment, which can happen due to injury or just day to day life, puts extra stress on the spine which can accelerate the degradation of discs. Adjustments bring back alignment.

Spine Decompression

Spinal decompression uses gentle but firm pressure to bring space back between the vertebrae. Space allows blood flow to return and healing to happen. Decompression is an important treatment to complement adjustments.

Now is the Time to Treat DDD

The best time to seek treatment for your back and neck pain is right now. Our chiropractic team can help you feel better and live a healthier life. Please contact us now to learn more!

El Paso Back Clinic

Mastodon