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My 77 Year Old Dad Has Spinal Stenosis Which Is
Question: My 77 year old dad has spinal stenosis which is getting worse and starting to cause bladder problems (urgency). He also shuffled when walking but still can drive great. He will likely need surgery but they are trying physical therapy one more time. In the meantime is it safe to have my kids ride in a car with him driving? Is it safe for him to drive at all? Is there a risk of paralysis while driving?
Brief Answer:
Spinal stenosis very UNLIKELY cause of ACUTE/IMMEDIATE paralysis of legs
Detailed Answer:
Based only on what you've presented about your father's condition of SPINAL STENOSIS which you say has been evaluated as being responsible for his bladder urgency it is highly unlikely that any type of acute paralysis would occur to cause him either sudden or significant loss of leg strength or even full paralysis.
Certainly spinal stenosis when it becomes severe enough can cause decided weakness in muscle strength in the legs but by the time that happens there is noticeable LOSS OF MUSCLE MASS, and other neurological changes will have been progressing and noticeable either by himself, the family, or the doctor. Things such as muscle TONE, REFLEXES, as well as SENSORY PROBLEMS will likely have unfolded long before any type of collapse to a point of motor paralysis. Spinal stenosis most of the time does not result in anything as dramatic as paralysis of the upper or lower extremities unless there is a hard fall or other trauma to the spine in that region which can cause a fracture or other injury which would immediately compress the spinal cord.
And so SAFETY issues as related to SUDDEN PARALYSIS OF THE LEGS should not be of any real concern to you. However, you feel he is questionable to drive safely (with or without kids in the car) for other reasons then, that is something you should bring up with your father and his physician but since I have the ability to examine him and see exactly what his thinking, motor strength, reaction times, etc. are I cannot give you any type of valid opinion.
There are facilities that will perform functional capacities testing for driving skills and run him through an entire gamut tests with a full report on exactly where he is experiencing weaknesses as well as an opinion as to how safe or not he is for driving. If you feel he would definitely be a hazard to himself or others while behind the wheel then, I believe you do it owe to him as well as others who are on the road to broach the subject.
Not that it's an easy one because it NEVER IS EASY to tell someone who's been driving all their lives that they have lost their ability to do that activity. I know of very few people who either voluntarily take themselves away from their cars or ask they be tested for fitness.
If I've provided useful or helpful information could you do me a HUGE favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and taking a moment to provide a few kind words of feedback, perhaps even stamping the consult with a 5 STAR rating if you feel so inclined?
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 52 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Spinal stenosis very UNLIKELY cause of ACUTE/IMMEDIATE paralysis of legs
Detailed Answer:
Based only on what you've presented about your father's condition of SPINAL STENOSIS which you say has been evaluated as being responsible for his bladder urgency it is highly unlikely that any type of acute paralysis would occur to cause him either sudden or significant loss of leg strength or even full paralysis.
Certainly spinal stenosis when it becomes severe enough can cause decided weakness in muscle strength in the legs but by the time that happens there is noticeable LOSS OF MUSCLE MASS, and other neurological changes will have been progressing and noticeable either by himself, the family, or the doctor. Things such as muscle TONE, REFLEXES, as well as SENSORY PROBLEMS will likely have unfolded long before any type of collapse to a point of motor paralysis. Spinal stenosis most of the time does not result in anything as dramatic as paralysis of the upper or lower extremities unless there is a hard fall or other trauma to the spine in that region which can cause a fracture or other injury which would immediately compress the spinal cord.
And so SAFETY issues as related to SUDDEN PARALYSIS OF THE LEGS should not be of any real concern to you. However, you feel he is questionable to drive safely (with or without kids in the car) for other reasons then, that is something you should bring up with your father and his physician but since I have the ability to examine him and see exactly what his thinking, motor strength, reaction times, etc. are I cannot give you any type of valid opinion.
There are facilities that will perform functional capacities testing for driving skills and run him through an entire gamut tests with a full report on exactly where he is experiencing weaknesses as well as an opinion as to how safe or not he is for driving. If you feel he would definitely be a hazard to himself or others while behind the wheel then, I believe you do it owe to him as well as others who are on the road to broach the subject.
Not that it's an easy one because it NEVER IS EASY to tell someone who's been driving all their lives that they have lost their ability to do that activity. I know of very few people who either voluntarily take themselves away from their cars or ask they be tested for fitness.
If I've provided useful or helpful information could you do me a HUGE favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and taking a moment to provide a few kind words of feedback, perhaps even stamping the consult with a 5 STAR rating if you feel so inclined?
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 52 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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