Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes constriction of one or several regions of the spine where the nerves run through. This narrowing frequently happens in the neck or lower back and can place strain on the spine or spinal nerves spreading out from the squeezed regions. Patients with this issue normally complain about severe discomfort in the feet or lower back from walking or standing. However, not every patient having spinal stenosis develops signs. During a consultation with your Roswell spinal stenosis specialist, you will undergo a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the cause of your symptoms. Meanwhile, here are the warning signs of spinal stenosis you should look out for.
1. Sciatica
Nerve roots’ compression in the lower back could lead to sciatica based on the type of nerve roots that are compromised. Typically, sciatica causes nerve discomfort and weakness, often experienced in one leg.
Based on the type of nerve roots involved, you may feel pain in either your leg, thigh, calf, foot, lower back, or buttocks. You might also experience numbness, a pins-and-needles sensation, tingling, or/and weakness in the regions affected by this discomfort.
2. Gait Difficulties
Spinal stenosis could impact your walking depending on the region it affects the spine. For example:
- Cervical spinal stenosis with the squeeze from the spine might result in a problem sustaining your balance while you walk, mostly during the night. Nevertheless, a pinched nerve with cervical spine stenosis does not result in you having a walking imbalance.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis might bring about walking issues because of the foot drop. This condition brings about weakness in leg muscles and thighs, like the calves and quadriceps.
In the beginning, walking problems might be excessively mild to notice. However, with time, this disorder might develop into gradually increasing falls.
3. Neurogenic Claudication
A squeeze of the nerves in your lower back might result in neurogenic claudication in the legs. Here are the key signs of neurogenic claudication:
- Difficulties performing upright workouts
- Persistent discomfort in the legs while standing
- Increased discomfort in your legs as you walk or when you bend your spine backward
- Enhanced discomfort with rest
Normally, you can alleviate the discomfort of neurogenic claudication by leaning your spine forward. Your physician should tell the difference between discomfort from vascular claudication and neurogenic claudication, which mimics the latter.
4. Losing Fine Motor Skills
Spinal stenosis in the neck region may result in difficulty performing duties requiring your hand’s fine motor skills, like holding a spoon. During the progressive stages, writing might be challenging, and with time, even holding a pen becomes impossible.
5. Foot Drop
Compressing the L4 and L5 nerve roots in your lower spine might result in motor fragility in your feet; thus, causing foot drop. Foot drop normally brings about a feeling of weakness when you try to raise your foot upwards. For this reason, the patient might involuntarily yank their feet or tend to trip while trying to walk. A squeeze on the S1 nerve root might result in weakness when you are tiptoeing.
It is unlikely that you might notice these spinal stenosis symptoms at first because of their mild nature. However, if these discomforts persist without proper care, it could result in significant complications later. The APEX Spine and Neurosurgery specialists offer top-quality spinal stenosis and treatments, including conservative solutions and surgery. Visit one of the offices near you or book a consultation online or via mobile.