| Stenosis back pain originates in the spinal canal | | | | may feel pain down one leg, or numbness, |
| itself. Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal | | | | weakness, cramping, and pain in legs or arms as |
| narrows, and compresses the nerves inside it. | | | | the nerves are compressed. |
| This compression of the nerves can lead to | | | | Stenosis Back Pain Test Problem |
| stenosis back pain, numbness in the legs, and the | | | | The problem with tests for spinal stenosis is that |
| loss of bladder or bowel control. If left untreated, | | | | the conditions shares symptoms with so many |
| stenosis back pain can eventually become | | | | other disease. The result has too often been |
| paralysis. | | | | costly misdiagnoses and unnecessary back |
| It is estimated that approximately 400,000 | | | | surgery, according to Andrew Haig, M.D., associate |
| Americans currently have spinal stenosis back | | | | professor in the Department of Physical Medicine |
| pain. That number is expected to increase as | | | | and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan |
| Baby Boomers age. | | | | Medical School. |
| Defining Stenosis Back Pain | | | | The following 3 tests are used to diagnose the |
| You probably know that the spinal column | | | | cause of stenosis back pain. |
| protects your spinal cord, a bundle of nerves, | | | | 1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio waves |
| from being injured. In spinal stenosis, the spine | | | | to picture the spine |
| narrows in one or more of three places: space at | | | | 2. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) X-ray |
| the center of the spine; canals where nerves | | | | series to picture the spine |
| branch outward from the spine itself; a space | | | | 3. Electromyogram (EMG) a test that not only |
| between the spines bones (vertebrae). | | | | gives a picture of nerves, but also tests nerve |
| Stenosis back pain occurs when the narrowing | | | | function, showing if there is actual nerve damage |
| puts pressure on the nerves inside the spinal | | | | Best Stenosis Back Pain Test |
| column. Although this can occur in younger people, | | | | Of the three, the oldest, Electromyogram (EMG) |
| it is most often a complaint of those over 50 | | | | has been found to be the best. This test has |
| years of age. | | | | been around as long as, or longer than the Baby |
| Causes of Stenosis Back Pain | | | | Boomers themselves, but a study published in the |
| Spinal stenosis back pain can be caused by a | | | | January 2006 issue of Spine shows that it is by |
| number of factors. | | | | far the best of the three tests. |
| 1. Age is a primary factor. As we age, bands of | | | | That study, done by the University of Michigan |
| supportive tissue in the spine may harden and | | | | Health System, shows that the EMG test |
| thicken. Our bones and joints may enlarge as they | | | | accurately determines the cause of stenosis back |
| age. We may get bone spurs on the spine places | | | | pain. As a result, low back pain is less likely to be |
| where bone surfaces bulge outward. | | | | misdiagnosed, as are other common |
| 2. Arthritis is another cause of spinal stenosis and | | | | neuromuscular conditions with similar symptoms. |
| accompanying stenosis back pain. Either | | | | Back surgery undertaken to cure misdiagnosed |
| osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may be to | | | | stenosis back pain can be avoided with this |
| blame. Osteoarthritis is the more common of the | | | | stenosis back pain test. |
| two. This type of arthritis usually is seen in | | | | Tests done in the U of M study by Dr. Andrew |
| middle-aged and older people, and does not go | | | | Haig and his colleagues showed a substantial |
| away. Osteoarthritis can cause the bone spurs | | | | difference between those who have spinal |
| described above. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually | | | | stenosis and those with other types of back pain. |
| seen in younger people, and is not usually a cause | | | | It showed that use of the EMG allows experts to |
| of spinal stenosis back pain. | | | | clearly distinguish between spinal stenosis and low |
| 3. Inherited factors may also lead to stenosis and | | | | back pain. |
| stenosis back pain. Some genetic conditions, such | | | | "Most doctors think of EMG as a simple test and |
| as a small spinal canal or curved spine, can cause | | | | incorrectly believe that it is sensitive for nerve |
| spinal stenosis. | | | | damage, but cannot differentiate spinal stenosis |
| 4. Other causes for your stenosis back pain could | | | | form neuromuscular disease," explains Haig. "But |
| include calcium deposits, fluoride accumulation, or | | | | as this study shows, that's not the case. In fact, |
| injuries. | | | | EMG is an excellent test for spinal stenosis and |
| Symptoms of Stenosis Back Pain | | | | other neuromuscular disorders using strict |
| Stenosis back pain usually occurs in the neck or | | | | evidence-based criteria." (Spine, Vol. 30, No. |
| back. In addition to the stenosis back pain, you | | | | |