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What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
Question: I have discovered by coincidence that I have mild Levo scoliosis 18 degrees and mild stenosis at L2 and L3 ( 36 yr old male)
Never had back pain and always active.
Although doctors assured me that it is very unlikely to progress I am still reading all sorts of information on the internet stating if stenosis is accompanied with mild scoliosis in adults then this is a degenerative curve that will progress . Which is different from what the doctors told me. I know the best way is to wait and have a follow up xray in a year but what is your medical opinion on likeliness of profession in my case.
I am very active and I exercise 4 times a week and now I am anxious about this and going to gym.
Please advise if this is a progressive scoliosis since there is stenosis involved .
Never had back pain and always active.
Although doctors assured me that it is very unlikely to progress I am still reading all sorts of information on the internet stating if stenosis is accompanied with mild scoliosis in adults then this is a degenerative curve that will progress . Which is different from what the doctors told me. I know the best way is to wait and have a follow up xray in a year but what is your medical opinion on likeliness of profession in my case.
I am very active and I exercise 4 times a week and now I am anxious about this and going to gym.
Please advise if this is a progressive scoliosis since there is stenosis involved .
Brief Answer:
Needs monitoring, bracing, options discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
Since when do you have scoliosis?
Usually scoliosis associated with degeneration of the vertebral joints and ligament disruptions can progress, cause Spinal stenosis.
If the s oliosis is beyond 30 degrees we generally do spinal fusion.
Till then you should get serial xrays done, take Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements, avoid weight bearing and forward bending, use a brace.
You can exercise but avoid excessive weight lifting, especially if you have Osteoporosis.
Usually more than 30 degrees curve has risk of progression about 60% so kindly get the serial xrays done.
You may wear a brace to counteract the further progression of the curve.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Needs monitoring, bracing, options discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
Since when do you have scoliosis?
Usually scoliosis associated with degeneration of the vertebral joints and ligament disruptions can progress, cause Spinal stenosis.
If the s oliosis is beyond 30 degrees we generally do spinal fusion.
Till then you should get serial xrays done, take Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements, avoid weight bearing and forward bending, use a brace.
You can exercise but avoid excessive weight lifting, especially if you have Osteoporosis.
Usually more than 30 degrees curve has risk of progression about 60% so kindly get the serial xrays done.
You may wear a brace to counteract the further progression of the curve.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I am 36 yr old . I never knew if i ever had scoliosis in childhood. Please find attached the recent lab report and xray . Bracing for 18 degrees adult scoliosis is an option ?? How do i know if this is degenrative or idiopathic ? What is the likelihood of progression for 18 degrees with adult mild stenosis ? Do you this as per the attached xray and report that this degenrative and not having it while i was a child without noticing ?
Brief Answer:
This is degenerative
Detailed Answer:
If the curve is progressing then bracing may be useful. If not then you need not wear it unless it causes cosmetic concern.
Since there is no developmental anomaly of the vertebrae, it is less likely from childhood and may be part of degenerative aetiology. Usually curves progress by 2 to 6 degrees a year but degrees curves rarely progress beyond 30 degrees.
You have lumbar scoliosis, which is usually a degenerative type scoliosis.
Proper physiotherapy and care tips can avoid any problem with this. Get an MRI of you have radiating pain, tingling or numbness of the legs or feet as a disc prolapse can be removed and necessary stabilization can be done if and when required.
Hope this helps
This is degenerative
Detailed Answer:
If the curve is progressing then bracing may be useful. If not then you need not wear it unless it causes cosmetic concern.
Since there is no developmental anomaly of the vertebrae, it is less likely from childhood and may be part of degenerative aetiology. Usually curves progress by 2 to 6 degrees a year but degrees curves rarely progress beyond 30 degrees.
You have lumbar scoliosis, which is usually a degenerative type scoliosis.
Proper physiotherapy and care tips can avoid any problem with this. Get an MRI of you have radiating pain, tingling or numbness of the legs or feet as a disc prolapse can be removed and necessary stabilization can be done if and when required.
Hope this helps
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you for your response.
Do you mean to say that curves less than 30 degrees rarely progress ? ( mine is 18 so not usually progressive ?)
Or is it the curve that i have will likely progress 2 - 6 degrees every year and rarely progresses over 30 ?
With my curve there is no pain at all and there is no aesthetic concern in physical appearance nothing noticed.
Please clarify the curve progression risk likelihood issue .
Thanking you
Do you mean to say that curves less than 30 degrees rarely progress ? ( mine is 18 so not usually progressive ?)
Or is it the curve that i have will likely progress 2 - 6 degrees every year and rarely progresses over 30 ?
With my curve there is no pain at all and there is no aesthetic concern in physical appearance nothing noticed.
Please clarify the curve progression risk likelihood issue .
Thanking you
Brief Answer:
Lumbar degenerative curves rarely progress
Detailed Answer:
Lumbar degenerative curves rarely progress.
2 to 6 degrees per year usually occurs in the growing age group and may not be applicable to you.
Lumbar degenerative curves rarely progress
Detailed Answer:
Lumbar degenerative curves rarely progress.
2 to 6 degrees per year usually occurs in the growing age group and may not be applicable to you.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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