Clinical medicineLesson 1 of 1 in the course Low back pain and spinal disorders

Spinal Stenosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of spaces in the spine that can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This lesson explains where stenosis occurs, what can cause it, and how its symptoms may differ depending on the location.

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or a neural foramen, the opening through which a spinal nerve exits. Narrowing can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, leading to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs.

All flashcards

What structural change defines spinal stenosis?
Abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or a neural foramen that can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots.
What are the three regional types of spinal stenosis?
Cervical stenosis affects the neck, thoracic stenosis the mid-back, and lumbar stenosis the lower back.
What is neurogenic claudication?
Pain, numbness, weakness, or heaviness in the buttocks or legs during walking or prolonged standing, often relieved by sitting or bending forward.
What is cervical myelopathy?
A syndrome caused by compression of the cervical spinal cord; it may cause clumsy or numb hands, imbalance, and weakness.
What age-related changes can contribute to spinal stenosis?
Changes such as thickened ligaments, bone spurs, disc degeneration, and enlarged facet joints can reduce space for neural structures.

Quiz questions

  1. Why is MRI frequently used when evaluating spinal stenosis?Answer: It shows the spinal cord, nerves, discs, ligaments, and other soft tissues in detail.
  2. When can CT myelography be useful in evaluating spinal stenosis?Answer: When assessing lateral recess narrowing or when MRI cannot be used.
  3. Which finding calls for urgent assessment because it may signal serious neurological involvement?Answer: New bladder or bowel dysfunction with rapidly worsening weakness.
  4. Which statement about non-surgical care for spinal stenosis is accurate?Answer: Care is individualized and may include exercise, medication, and activity adjustments.
  5. What does a lumbar decompressive laminectomy do?Answer: Removes bone covering the spinal canal, sometimes with thickened ligaments, to create more room for nerves.

Based on the Wikipedia article Spinal stenosis, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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