Spinal Stenosis Laser Surgery

How do you know if you have spinal stenosis?  Even if you exhibit symptoms of spinal stenosis, it can still be hard to determine with a simple physical checkup.  The problem is that there are other disorders and conditions that have the same symptoms as spinal stenosis, especially during the beginning stages.  Older people are more likely to develop other degenerative disorders, which can further obfuscate a proper diagnosis.

A doctor will ask you several questions concerning your spinal problems, and may have you perform a simple physical test.  At best, the doctor can only infer that it may be spinal stenosis.  In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will need to run a scan on you.  A few scans that may be done are:

• X-Rays – Though not as detailed as a CT scan or MRI scan, an X-ray will give a detailed image of the bone structure of the spine.  It can identify other bone related problems, such as a fracture or osteophytes, which are bone spurs that grow in response to damaged and degenerated joint surfaces.  Osteophytes are commonly found among elderly people and athletes suffering from sports injuries.
• CT scan – Computed topography is a more advanced type of scan.  It can give detailed images of the bone structure along with soft tissue, so it is easier to distinguish spinal stenosis.  However, it does not provide as much clarity when capturing the soft tissue.  CT scans produce similar images to MRI machines, but the two have a lot of little differences, such as price, the length of the scan, image clarity, side effects and so on.
• MRI scan – This is the scan of choice.  Though it does not capture the skeletal structure of the body, it produces very clear images of the internal soft tissue, including nerves and muscle.  Using an MRI, it is easy to diagnose and pinpoint exactly where the spinal cord is being compressed.

Computed topography and MRI scans each have their own advantages and drawbacks.  In this scenario, the clear choice for analyzing spinal stenosis are MRI scans.  It can clearly show the nerves in the spine and where the source of the pain is.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which increases pressure on the nerves and can cause pain and numbness.  It is a common spine disorder that affects an estimated half a million Americans, most of whom are over the age of 50 years old.  There are a number of treatment options, ranging from physical therapy to pain medications to spinal stenosis laser surgery.  However, a new treatment option is being researched and is still being tested in humans now.  This experimental device is being labelled the “Superion Interspinous Spacer.”

The Superion Interspinous Spacer is currently meant to aid lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis.  To insert the device, a doctor will make a small incision in the lower back, and then clear the affected area of the spine.  The device is then fixed between the posterior (back side) bony structures of the vertebraes.  After that, the incision is closed up and the procedure is done.  The way this spacer works is that it maintains adequate space between adjacent vertebrae, which ensures that the forament won’t shrink and pinch the nerves.  The process of installing the Superion spacer is a minimally invasive surgery, and should not require a lengthy recuperation period.

This interspinous spacer study is still in the experimental stages, and is expected to run test trials into 2011.  However, the future of this device looks to be like a promising new way to treat spinal stenosis.  If you want to learn more about the clinical trials with the Superion Interspinous Spacer, go to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ for more information.