About this topic
The bones in your back are your vertebrae. They are stacked one on top of the other. Strong, flexible tissues connect the bones in your back. Your spinal cord is in the middle of the bones of your back. The nerves also connect to the spinal cord in this same area. With spinal stenosis, the area around your spinal cord and nerves is narrow. Pressure on these structures causes other problems like pain, numbness, and tingling. You may also have loss of bowel or bladder control. Some people have worse balance when this area becomes narrow. Others have problems doing simple movements like buttoning a shirt or picking up objects from the floor. Treatment most often includes drugs and therapy. Surgery may be necessary if other treatments fail. ‚
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- If your doctor injected a drug in your back, keep the puncture site clean and dry for the first 24 hours. You may feel the effects of the drug after 7 to 10 days.
- Your doctor may put a brace on your back. Keep it on as directed. You may take off the brace when taking a shower but try not to move your back while doing so.
- Your doctor may tell you to use a cane or walker to help with your balance.
- Your doctor may suggest using ice or heat to help with pain.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Put a heating pad on your back for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may also need to see a physical therapist (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to help you get back your strength and motion.
- Your doctor may have you go see a specialist. You may need to see a brain doctor called a neurologist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
The doctor may give you a shot of an anti-inflammatory drug called a corticosteroid. This will help with swelling. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the effects of this shot. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Stay away from activities that make your back pain worse. Avoid lifting heavy objects, picking up objects off the floor, and strenuous activities like biking and playing sports. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Nerve problems
- Signs come back
- Loss of control over your bladder or bowels
- Paralysis
- Less ability to sense temperature changes with your skin
- Coordination problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Keep a healthy weight to avoid putting too much stress on your spine.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Sudden problems with hand or foot movement
- Numbness and tingling on your legs, feet, hands, and arms
- Pain in your calf and leg
- Sudden breathing problems or chest pain
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain; numbness or tingling in my legs, feet, hands, or arms; trouble breathing; or chest pain.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00329 ‚
American College of Rheumatology ‚
http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/stenosis.asp ‚
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases ‚
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Spinal_Stenosis/spinal_stenosis_ff.asp ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/402/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚