Five symptoms of spinal canal stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) is a very common disease in the elderly caused by the slowly progressing ageing of the musculoskeletal system.

What is spinal canal stenosis?

Spinal canal stenosis (often called spinal stenosis) occurs when the canal through this passing spinal cord and nerve roots (central canal) becomes narrow. This narrowing at some point begins to compress your specific spinal cord and/or nerve roots. You are most common in the girdle and cervical spine. Spinal stenosis is a condition that is likely to occur in people over the age of 60 and tends to worsen with age. Here are five symptoms you can experience due to spinal stenosis.

1. Neurogenic claudication

When the nerve roots are chronically compressed in the spinal canal you may experience neurogenic claudication. Neurogenic claudication usually has the following characteristics:
Pain and tingling in the legs when walking or standing Neurogenic claudication symptoms are usually relieved when presented forward (for example, while leaning on a cart, sitting and leading forward).

2. Sciatica

Compression of the lower back's nerve roots can lead to radiculopathy aka sciatica. Sciatica is a pain and weakness that is usually felt in one leg.

3. Weakness in the foot

Compression of the nerve roots L4 and L5 in the lower part of the spine can cause severe weakness in the foot. This condition can cause a feeling of weakness when lifting the foot and/or toes. As a result, the patient may inadvertently control his leg or tend to stumble while walking. The compression of the nerve root by S1 can cause weakness when stepping on toes.

4. Gait problems

Spinal stenosis can affect the course of the spinal canal in various ways, for example:
Cervical stenosis (within the neck) of the spinal canal can cause difficulty in maintaining balance while moving, especially in the dark.

5. Loss of fine motor skills

Spinal stenosis in the cervical spine can cause difficulty in performing movements that involve fine motor skills of the hand, such as shirt buttoning, writing, or holding keys.

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