Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal spaces. This exerts pressure on the nerves and vessels that pass through the spinal column. The common sites are the neck and the lower back and may be due to overgrowth of bone, wear and tear diseases, thickened ligaments, and spinal injury. It can be asymptomatic or may present as pain, tingling sensation, numbness, and muscle weakness. Treatment includes hot and cold packs, pain medications, decompression procedures, and simple physical therapies like riding a bicycle, water therapy, and gym workouts.
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I have back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis. Should I get laminectomy?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had back pain for the last 12 years. I had an l5 s1 disc herniation and later diagnosed with severe lumbar spinal stenosis at l4 l5 as well. My back pain is more critical than the leg pain. However, I have persistent calf and foot spasms and cramping (especially in bed and at n... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are quite aware of the condition and have managed to live with the issue, but as you say, you cannot walk not than a mile, but it does not seem to be your main issue. If you required to walk longer, then laminectomy will be the solution, but you need to get relie... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, My age is 27. I had back pain after lifting a patient seven days ago. After two days of this, back pain and tingling started in both my feet and arms. I took painkillers and Gabica. I am on the following medications, Gabica, Methycobal, and Myonal. I only had back pain, no leg pain but ti... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The disc protrusion at L5-S1 (lumbosacral joint) is causing nerve root compression and causing all the above symptoms that you mentioned. I also see a suspicious annular tear at the same level in the image you have attached (attachments are h... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 37-year-old female. I have a history of Hashimoto's disease and spinal stenosis. It is of the large intestine. My symptoms before this included abdominal pain, RLQ and low midline, intermittent diarrhea, bloating, and at times inability to have a bowel movement, and weight loss ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. I understand your concern. Your biopsy report is inconclusive and of little help in reaching a specific diagnosis. However, the chronicity and clinical symptoms you have described lead to the differentials between inflammatory bowel disease... Read Full »
My MRI scan report shows stenosis of the spine. Is it alarming?
Query: Hello doctor, Three days back, I had an MRI scan of my brain and spine. The brain report was normal; however, the spine had some issues. The reports said I have two types of stenosis, canal and foraminal. The canal stenosis is mild to moderate involving C5 and C6, whereas the foraminal stenosis is s... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen your reports (attachments removed to protect patient's identity), and your MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan shows severe foraminal stenosis at C 5/6 and left side of C 6/7. You do not have any cord changes, and it is borne by the fact that the central ... Read Full »
Are signs and symptoms vital for surgical correction of cervical stenosis?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 51 years old. I have been diagnosed with very severe cervical stenosis. I currently have no neurological deficits or pain. However, I have intermittent light numbness and tingling to the head and neck. I am curious if I have more options. My imaging results are as follows: 1) Si... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to iclinq.com. First of all, there is multi-level stenosis in radiology. And regarding the decision about surgery, we have to look at both radiology and patient clinical symptoms. At this moment, your radiology (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) shows a problem, bu... Read Full »
What happens when your spine is fused together?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 71-years old, working part-time as a payroll specialist that makes me believe in a healthy lifestyle. I am faced with actual spinal surgery. When I spoke with the surgeon, they mentioned that part of my back had already begun fusion and is referred to as ankylosing spondylitis. I hav... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The information that you provide is incomplete as there are two separate conditions that you mention. In ankylosing spondylosis, the spine fuses and becomes stiff, and further fusion is not recommended unless an Andersson lesion complicates matters. Spinal stenosis i... Read Full »
What causes spinal stenosis to flare up?
Query: Hi doctor, My mother just had an x-ray, and the impression is mild narrowing of T1-T2, and T2-T3 disc spaces and straightening of the normal thoracic kyphosis is seen. The pain is on the upper right side of my back. The feeling is numb and sore. The first doctor referred her to an orthopedic and ga... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The x-ray findings you have posted (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) are consistent with a degenerative disc that is a normal phenomenon. So there is nothing to worry about. The straightening of the spine could mean weak, strained muscles which h... Read Full »
Can MSM and bone broth be used for cervical stenosis?
Query: Hi doctor, I am taking Lyrica 25 mg and sometimes 50 mg for cervical stenosis. It seems that it will continue to get worse with nine to five desk work that I have started back. I tried it once and had a bit of headache and felt bad for a day. Is it not good to take during the workweek? How about MS... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. What is your job profile, and how much physical activity you have in your daily routine? MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) and bone broth are said to benefit in cases of generalized weakness in bones and ligaments. They are multi-vitamins and will not help your neck pain. I... Read Full »
Are back pain, itching and irritation in vulva, and dry mouth signs of herpes?
Query: Hello doctor,I have sores in the mouth and irritation around the mouth at random times while eating. I also have blood and protein in the urine, loss of sensation when I need to urinate, occasional back pain, itching and irritation of the vulva (currently treating BV), burning eyes, and dryness of t... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The pictures sent by you suggest (attachment removed to protect patient identity) either some infection or vitamin deficiency.Your Valtrex (Valaciclovir) course should take care of any viral infection. Your urine report showing protein and blood means some infection (k... Read Full »
Are my headache, ear block, palpitation, and neck pain caused due to T2 hypersensitivity?
Query: Hi doctor, I have been going to the doctor for several years and getting an MRI. On three occasions, I have had a brain MRI that states that I have a small T2 hyperintensity on the right petrous apex. But they keep telling me it is nothing. I have severe headaches, a feeling of fullness in my ear,... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do not worry about hyperintensity MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). It may be an accidental finding. It is not the cause of headaches. As you told you are suffering from spinal stenosis, I want to know where it is? Is it cervical or lumbar? In the case of cervi... Read Full »