The symptoms of spinal narrowing vary depending on the location of the condition. For some, spinal narrowing (or spinal stenosis) causes neck pain. For others, spinal narrowing leads to lower back or sciatic pain. However, the important thing to understand about this condition is that, on its own, the narrowing of the spinal canal is actually asymptomatic.

Neck and back pain develop from spinal stenosis as a direct result of the presence of a compressed nerve accompanying the narrowing of the spinal canal. Otherwise, the individual may remain entirely unaware of his or her condition. To learn how to detect this condition and how it impacts different parts of the body, read the following article.

Signs of spinal narrowing

In the event that spinal narrowing results in nerve compression, a number of uncomfortable symptoms can develop, including:

• Localized pain
• Radiating pain along the affected nerve
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness or tingling
• Sciatic pain
• Fatigue

The location variable

The symptoms associated with the nerve compression depend wholly on the specific nerve that is irritated or compressed. Different nerves stimulate different muscle groups and tissue throughout the body, so nerve compression in the spinal column can result in symptoms in various parts of the body:

• Cervical — head, neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, hands and fingers
• Thoracic — torso, abdomen and shoulders
• Lumbar — lower back, buttocks, thighs, calves, feet and toes
• Sacrum — pelvis and reproductive organs

Treating spinal narrowing

If you experience any of the symptoms of spinal narrowing and nerve compression, it is usually necessary to visit your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your condition. In most cases, a series of conservative treatments will prove effective in treating spinal stenosis, although some patients may require spinal surgery to completely relieve their symptoms.

To learn more about the symptoms and causes of spinal narrowing, and to hear about the latest minimally invasive outpatient procedures designed to treat spinal stenosis, contact USA Spine Care today. As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, we have helped thousands of patients find relief from their neck and back pain.

Our board-certified surgeons+ are able to use a small, muscle-sparing incision in order to decompress the nerves, thereby relieving spinal stenosis symptoms. Reach out to us to receive more information about the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure versus traditional open spine surgery. Through a free MRI review.* we can determine if you would be a potential candidate for our outpatient surgery.

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