Advanced Pain Therapy, LLC
(973) 917-3172
Diagnosis
Because it is typically present in patients beyond 50 and the signs of the spinal stenosis are not very different from aging (numbness, pain, incontinence, weakness, etc.), correctly diagnosing the condition is challenging. However, it is necessary to highlight the fact that spinal stenosis has a trademark symptom that differentiates it from the rest, namely the fact that the lower back and leg pain can be alleviated if the person sits down and rests his leg for a few minutes.
Luckily, determining what causes the symptoms can nowadays be done accurately, thanks to various imaging tests such as:
MRI: The magnetic resonance imaging constitutes the preferred tool of diagnosing the spinal stenosis, as it can reveal both the bone structures and soft tissues of the spine clearly. In other words, the MRI could easily pinpoint if the cause of the back pain is due to the thickening of the ligaments, whether or not the disks are herniated or degenerated as well as indicate the presence of abnormal growths and tumors. The bottom line is that the MRI tool can help physicians determine whether the nerves integrated in the spinal cord are subdued to any pressure.
CT Myelogram: An alternative to the MRI, the computerize tomography consists of a combination of X-rays images able to provide cross-sectional pictures of the affected area of the spine. With the help of this diagnosis tool, physicians can learn the precise size and shape of the spinal canal. When colored ink is used along with the CT device, the physician will be able to determine irregularities of the soft tissues as well.
X-rays: Despite the fact that X-rays will only show the bone structure of the backbone and it does not constitute the best diagnosis tool for spinal stenosis, sometimes it can be used along with MRI or CT myelogram for the purpose of eliminating other possible conditions with similar symptomatology.