PSLD is the latest back pain treatment technique. It involves minimal incisions, causes less pain, and utilizes advanced and safe technology.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Back pain and lower back pain often cause irritation and take a toll on the body. Some sufferers may not even be able to work or go about their daily routine. The most common cause of back and lower back pain is lumbar spinal stenosis.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal which houses nerves of the spinal cord. The narrowing may just be in one area of the spinal cord or more areas. It could be caused by the thickening of the bone, the thickening of the tendon, dislocation of the spinal disc, spondylolisthesis, or a combination of any of these factors.

Narrowing of spinal canal Most Common Causes

1.Defect of the spinal canal since birth

2.Degeneration of the spinal canal according to age

3.Illness or other factors such as illnesses related to the bones (osteoporosis, spondylosis)

Symptoms

Lumbar spinal stenosis causes back pain which can spread down to one leg or both legs at the same time. Patients may also feel a weakening of the leg muscle or pain in the legs and thighs which requires them to take frequent stops while walking. These are caused by pressure on the nerves or blood not flowing to the nerves. Walking will be impacted thus affecting patients’ daily living.

Moreover, patients may feel pain and numbness around the buttocks or the pelvis area and it may spread to the legs while walking or standing for a long period of time. It may also disrupt urination and bowel movement (such as not being able to hold urine, not being able to urinate, and/or constipation) and may even lead to impotency in men.

Most symptoms occur while bending over or sitting down. There are usually no symptoms and less pain when sleeping on the back or bending forward but bending backwards will cause symptoms to intensify.

When to See a Doctor

You should see a doctor if you have leg pain (some may not experience pain in the leg); intense back pain which affects walking and daily living and causes you to have to stop a lot while walking or be able to walk shorter distances; muscle atrophy in the legs; or abnormal urination or bowel movements. You should also see a doctor if you are experiencing leg pain along with fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, or pain while lying down or during nighttime. These may indicate an infection or spinal cancer.

Who’s Susceptible

1. Those aged 50 or above

2. Obese people

3. Those with diabetes

4. Women who reach menopause