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Sciatica from Spinal Stenosis
Sciatica from Spinal Stenosis / Herniated DiscsHerniated discs are the most common of all spinal irregularities. They are so common in fact, that many doctors consider them normal. The mythology surrounding herniations is extensive and gives most patients the idea that all disc conditions are serious and inherently painful. This could not be further from the truth.Most herniated discs are either completely asymptomatic or only painful for a short time, typically 6 to 8 weeks at the most. Most herniations accused of causing pain through spinal stenosis do not even qualify as true stenosis concerns, since they merely infringe on the thecal sac or abut the cord. Real cord compression syndromes are rare, but can be serious and may require medical or even surgical treatments. Sciatica from Spinal Stenosis / OsteophytesOsteoarthritis is a normal process to experience as we age and it commonly attacks the spinal joints ferociously. Most spinal arthritis is of no significant concern, but sometimes, small bone spurs can grow in groupings, forming what is known as an osteophyte complex. If this occurs inside the spinal canal, the space through which the spinal cord must pass can be sizably reduced, causing a true stenosis condition. Unlike herniated discs, this type of stenosis is unlikely to resolve on its own and may require surgery in extreme cases. Luckily, most cases of osteophyte induced stenosis are not too serious and usually do not require more than conservative care.Sciatica from Spinal Stenosis AdviceSciatica due to spinal stenosis is a complicated issue, since the stenosis can affect virtually any part of the spine and still cause symptoms in the lower body. Even spinal stenosis in the cervical spine (neck) can cause sciatica in some patients. This makes diagnosis troublesome and treatment less than accurate in most cases…Remember too that spinal stenosis is incorrectly diagnosed as the actual source of pain in many sufferers. In these cases, the real health concern is ischemia, which is the most prevalent source of chronic sciatica. This condition is almost never correctly diagnosed and is the usual culprit for year’s worth of treatment resistant and ongoing back and leg pain. I know this well, since this was the exact condition which plagued me for 18 long years of agony. If you have not enjoyed relief from a variety of appropriate treatments for your spinal stenosis, I advise you to consider the possibility that you may have been inaccurately diagnosed, as well, regardless of the physical demonstration of a stenosis issue. 2/23/10
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