Spinal Canal Stenosis Symptoms
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Spinal Canal Stenosis Symptoms
Symptoms
Pain is a common symptom of spinal stenosis and the location of the pain will depend on whether the stenosis is present in the upper or lower portions of the spine. 95% of patients with spinal canal stenosis experience sciatica while 70% complain of sensory changes in their lower limbs. Some of the other symptoms of spinal stenosis include:
- Pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica).
- Cramping or general pain in either the arms or legs.
- Foot drop – in which painful leg weakness causes the affected foot to “slap” on the ground.
- Numbness and weakness in the affected limbs.
- Pain that is more severe when upright and reduces while sitting
Causes
- A small spinal canal.
- Conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that affect the bones.
- Spondylolisthesis (when one vertebra slips forward on another).
- Injuries that dislocate the spine.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine to one side).
