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How To Diagnose Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Question: Being sent to orthopedic surgeon to look for possible spinal stenosis due to bilateral pain in feet and other signs of tingling pain below the waist. What sort of testing can we expect and is the prognosis decent for a 46 year od if this is indeed the issue?
Brief Answer:
You need to get MRI of the spine with canal diameter
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Lumbar canal stenosis can be confirmed with help of MRI. It will tell us how bad is compression at spine canal. According to that further management can be planned. Most often surgery is the only choice. The extent of surgery depends on the basis of severity of a disease. Surgery is usually a major procedure and you may need to stay in the hospital for at least 6 days.
Prognosis is very good and soon you will feel pain-free.
I hope this answer will be helpful for you. Let me know if there are any other follow-up questions.
thanks
You need to get MRI of the spine with canal diameter
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Lumbar canal stenosis can be confirmed with help of MRI. It will tell us how bad is compression at spine canal. According to that further management can be planned. Most often surgery is the only choice. The extent of surgery depends on the basis of severity of a disease. Surgery is usually a major procedure and you may need to stay in the hospital for at least 6 days.
Prognosis is very good and soon you will feel pain-free.
I hope this answer will be helpful for you. Let me know if there are any other follow-up questions.
thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I undetstand this is something usually seen in the geriatric population and often just have to bear with the pain. Is this condition (likely in the lumbar region) fairly easy to treat with medication?
Brief Answer:
Medication give pain relief
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You are right that lumbar canal stenosis is commonly seen in geriatric population but it is common in young age also. You need to get MRI to confirm the cause. It can be narrowing of spinal canal, that can be present since birth. Also disc herniation can cause such symptoms at younger age.
Medicines which are commonly used are Lyrica, Pregabalin, Tryptomer or Amytryptalin. All these are for symptomatic relief and there is no change in disease.
So if you want to delay surgery then you can take medications for short time.
thanks
Medication give pain relief
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You are right that lumbar canal stenosis is commonly seen in geriatric population but it is common in young age also. You need to get MRI to confirm the cause. It can be narrowing of spinal canal, that can be present since birth. Also disc herniation can cause such symptoms at younger age.
Medicines which are commonly used are Lyrica, Pregabalin, Tryptomer or Amytryptalin. All these are for symptomatic relief and there is no change in disease.
So if you want to delay surgery then you can take medications for short time.
thanks
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :2002
Answered : 4486 Questions
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