Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Lumbar (LUM-bahr) spinal (SPI-nal) stenosis (ste-NO-sis) is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. The spinal canal runs in the middle of the spine and contains the spinal cord. Your spine is made up of many vertebrae (back bones) stacked on one another. Between each bone is a disc which serves as cushion. The spinal cord is where nerves that carry messages from your brain go to the rest of the body. Lumbar spinal stenosis may be caused by an abnormal development of the spine, such as in scoliosis (curved spine). Problems in the spine that lead to changes in the vertebrae, discs, or ligaments may also cause stenosis.
  
  
• Common signs and symptoms may include low back pain, and numbness, tingling, or weakness of the legs. You may also feel pain in the buttocks that extends to the thighs or legs. Symptoms may be worse when standing or walking and relieved when sitting down, leaning forward, or bending. In severe cases, bowel or bladder problems may occur. Lumbar spinal stenosis may be diagnosed through a detailed health history and physical exam. Tests, such as computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, x-ray, and electromyography may be done. Treatment may include medicines, surgery, and therapies. With treatment, more serious problems of lumbar spinal stenosis may be prevented, and your quality of life improved.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Learn ways to manage stress. Deep breathing, meditation, and listening to music may help you cope with stressful events. Talk to your caregiver about other ways to manage stress.

Pain clinic:

Caregivers at a pain clinic may help you learn new ways to control your pain. You may learn relaxation or special breathing exercises to help decrease your pain. Caregivers at the clinic will help you find ways to decrease your pain that may work for you.

Self-care:

• Apply heat or ice over the affected area: This may help ease pain and decrease swelling. Warm moist compress uses a small towel dampened with hot water and placed in a plastic bag. Wrap a towel around the plastic bag to prevent burns. Ice causes blood vessels to constrict (get small). Crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrapped with a towel may be used as an ice pack.
  
  
• Maintain a healthy weight: Talk to your caregiver about your ideal body weight. Weighing too much can increase load and pressure on your back bones. Ask your caregiver about a weight loss and exercise plan if you are overweight.
  
  
• Rest: Rest when you feel it is needed. Slowly start to do more each day. Return to your daily activities as directed.

Therapy:

• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy (OT) uses work, self-care, and other normal daily activities to help you function better in your daily life. OT helps you develop skills to improve your ability to bathe, dress, cook, eat, and drive. You may learn to use special tools to help you with your daily activities. You may also learn new ways to keep your home or workplace safe.
  
  
• Physical therapy: You may need to see a physical therapist to teach you special exercises. These exercises help improve movement and decrease pain. Physical therapy can also help improve strength and decrease your risk for loss of function.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have new symptoms since the last time you visited your caregiver.
  
  
• Your skin has a rash.
  
  
• Your symptoms keep you from doing your daily activities.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a wound that does not heal or is infected.
  
  
• You have redness or a hard swelling in your leg.
  
  
• You have pain in your leg that does not go away or gets worse.
  
  
• You notice that your legs or feet are turning blue or black.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (Aftercare Instructions)