What Are the Top Most Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis to Watch Out?

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within your spine narrow down. As a result, it puts pressure on your nerves that travel through the spine. Since wear and tear changes in the spine are one of major causes of spinal stenosis, it causes tingling sensation, muscle weakness and numbness. At a certain point, some people don’t have any symptoms, whereas others experience pain. If it’s left untreated, symptoms will worsen over time. If you are suffering from spinal stenosis, don’t hesitate to contact a pain management doctor in OKC.

Since there are basically two types of spinal stenosis, the symptoms largely depend on its type and location. Here are a few top most symptoms of spinal stenosis to watch out:

  • Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the nerve roots in your lower back get compressed. Sciatica is considered to be a nerve pain and normally occurs in a leg at a time. Pain can also be felt on your lower back and buttock.

  • Foot Drop

Foot drop is a feeling of weakness while trying to lift the foot or toes upward. The result of this feeling leads you into dragging the foot involuntarily. Compression of L4 and L5 nerve roots in your spine play an important role here.

  • An Uneasy Gait

Spinal stenosis affects the walking of an individual in different ways. Two types of spinal stenosis (cervical & lumber) can affect an individual’s movement differently. Cervical spinal stenosis can affect your balance while walking, whereas lumbar spinal stenosis causes gait problems by causing foot drop.

  • Pain in Your Arm

Spinal stenosis often causes mild to severe burning pain in your arm, neck and shoulder. Apart from this, one can feel abnormal sensation such as tingling and numbness in both their hands.

  • Affecting Motor Skills

When it’s cervical spinal stenosis, it can affect your motor skills such as buttoning a shirt. When it’s too serious, it’s difficult for an individual to write. An individual with serious cervical spinal stenosis finds it difficult to hold pain. During this situation, it’s recommended to contact a doctor. Pain management doctors in Norman, OK can help you in this regard.

If you have spinal stenosis and suffer from pain for a longer period of time, it's time to step up. Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers have experienced pain management doctors. They have been helping the patients for a longer period of time and teaching them how to manage pain better. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

**Disclaimer: This blog post does not establish terms of a doctor-patient relationship and is not intended to be taken as a doctor's advice.