Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Spinal Stenosis symptoms are not very prominent at the initial period. As the time passes and the problem advances the symptoms begin to appear.

When the nerves of the body are damaged due to the pressure of the Spinal Stenosis, then your body starts showing problems and symptoms. The symptoms vary and they can be described as below

Pain or cramping in the legs - Spinal Stenosis symptoms may be very dreaded and regular. Pseudoclaudication, false claudication, neurogenic intermittent claudication are some of the conditions which arise as a result of Spinal Stenosis. These conditions bring in cramp and pain of legs. When you walk for some time or when you stand for a long time, then it happens. This happens because of the compressed nerves. As the nerves get compressed more when you walk or stand, so they tend to pain more. When you sit down, then the pain reduces. So this will hamper your life by making you unable to live an active life. You will often have to sit and perform your activities.

Radiating back and hip pain – The pain starts at the buttocks or hips. Then it grows and extends to the legs. This is the result of the damaged nerves at the lower portion of the spine. The pain may be severe. It affects one side of your body. This happens more when you sit for prolong time. As the situation advances, you may find numbness, tingling in your leg. This radiating pain is very difficult to bear for most of the people who have Spinal Stenosis. The pain in your buttocks, hips and legs hampers with your activities you need to perform daily. The pain may be intermittent or continuous.

Loss of balance – All your movements are controlled by the nerves and the brain. Nerves carry the signals to the brain, which instruct the organs to move or to act. When the nerves are affected then balance of your body is sure to get affected. When there is too much of pressure on the cervical spinal cord, it may damage the nerves, which control your movement. So you may become very clumsy and senseless. You may not be able to move your body parts and that may hamper your balance. You may fall with slight provocation. See a doctor as soon as possible and if needed go for a surgery.

Loss of bowel or bladder function – Spinal Stenosis also affects the bladder and bowel function. The main cause of such problem is the damage to the nerves. Nerves control all of our activities. So when nerves are damaged, then your body may not be able to act correctly. So, if nerves leading to your bowel or bladder are affected your bladder and bowel may not listen to your brain commands. In case of any urinary or fecal problems, see the doctor as soon as possible. This problem needs time and doctor’s help. It may be a case of emergency operation.