Are scoliosis and spinal stenosis related?
Idiopathic scoliosis affects the upper (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) spine. Discs and joints can degenerate, which may result in spinal stenosis. Scoliosis can also cause arthritis in the spinal joints, resulting in bone spurs.
Which is worse spinal stenosis or scoliosis?
Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that may occur in any region of the spine, putting pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Scoliosis cases are mild, but some children can develop deformities that evolve to be more severe as they grow.
Is stenosis of the spine a disability?
Fortunately, lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the few back conditions recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as an official impairment listing, meaning that those with documented cases of severe lumbar spinal stenosis are automatically granted disability benefits – if you can meet the SSA’s tough …
Can stenosis of the spine be cured?
Treatment usually starts with nonsurgical options and may move to surgical options if other methods no longer relieve your pain. Although there is no cure for spinal stenosis, exercise to keep your muscles strong, improve your flexibility and reduce pain.
What can you not do with lumbar scoliosis?
People with scoliosis should avoid: Keeping the neck bent forward, so the head faces down, such as when using a smartphone. Playing football and other high-contact sports are dangerous for people with scoliosis. Ballet and gymnastics may also injure the thoracic spine.
Is walking bad for scoliosis?
Walking is a safe and healthy form of exercise for people with scoliosis because it doesn’t play into the condition’s asymmetrical effects by overusing one side of the body, nor does it involve repeated jarring motions that can increase compression.
What are the leading causes of spinal stenosis?
Aging. Spinal stenosis is most common in people over 50.
What are the best exercises for stenosis?
The best exercises for your spinal stenosis are those that involve smooth motion and are low impact. Examples of good exercises include swimming, exercising on an elliptical trainer and walking. The bent-forward position on a bicycle opens up the spinal canal, temporarily helping to reduce the pressure on your spinal nerves.
What is the outcome of spinal stenosis?
Without appropriate treatment, spinal stenosis can lead to permanent nerve damage, paralysis and even death. When spinal canal narrowing is causing spinal cord compression this needs treating right away to decompress the spine and reduce the likelihood of significant and intractable damage.
Does spinal stenosis affect the arms as well as legs?
Sciatica can be a symptom of spinal stenosis. Both conditions occur when the vertebrae compress one or more of the spinal nerves, causing pain to spread mostly from the back to the legs. Sciatic pain involves the lower extremities, while spinal stenosis can affect the arms as well.