Re: Statins or lumbar spinal stenosis??


"Rita" <nitany_98@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:9dcpe11fj47pvbhjk229kbm5vfve1b6f7i@xxxxxxxxxx
> On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 03:43:01 GMT, "Bill" <xxx@xxxxx> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Rita" <nitany_98@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>news:rd8oe1tb2m3g3k3ippcuupm4cdeat9skom@xxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>>>
>>> There are causes of lumbar spinal stenosis other than bone spurs.
>>> From the Mayo clinic website:
>>>
>>> The main cause of spinal degeneration is osteoarthritis, an arthritic
>>> condition that affects the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in
>>> your joints. With time, the cartilage begins to deteriorate and its smooth
>>> surface becomes rough. If it wears down completely, bone may rub painfully
>>> on bone. In an attempt to repair the damage, your body may produce bony
>>> growths called bone spurs. When these form on the facet joints in the
>>> spine, they narrow the spinal canal.
>>>
>>> Osteoarthritis can also affect the disks in your spine. By the time you're
>>> 30, your disks may start to show signs of deterioration. They begin to
>>> lose
>>> their water content, becoming flatter and more brittle.
>>>
>>> Eventually, the tough, fibrous outer covering of the disk may develop tiny
>>> tears, causing the jelly-like substance in the disk's center to seep out
>>> (herniation or rupture). The herniated disk presses on the surrounding
>>> nerves, causing pain - which sometimes may be excruciating - in your back,
>>> leg or both. Sometimes you may also have numbness, tingling or weakness in
>>> the buttock, leg or foot on the affected side.
>>>
>>> The ligaments in your back may also undergo degenerative changes, becoming
>>> stiff and thick over time. This loss of elasticity may shorten the spine,
>>> narrowing the spinal canal and compressing the nerve roots. Sometimes wear
>>> and tear on the disks and ligaments causes one lumbar vertebra to slip
>>> over
>>> another - a condition called spondylolisthesis. This often compresses the
>>> spinal nerves, leading to numbness, tingling and weakness in your legs,
>>> especially when you stand for long periods or when you walk
>>>
>>> (Which I may interject, are exactly my troublesome symptoms.)
>>>
>>
>>Do you think this might show up on X-rays or other tests? The reason I ask
>>is
>>because I often have numbness in my left leg after being on the treadmill
>>for
>>about 1/2 hour. I've had this for several years and it does not seem to be
>>getting worse. It goes away after a few hours.
>>
>>Bill
>>
> I had an MRI of the lumbar spine and I understand that this test and
> also CAT scans can reveal certain problems that can cause these symptoms.
> I have yet to see my doctor fact to face for a detailed run down but he
> described the MRI results to me briefly over the phone. Pressure on
> spinal nerves can cause numbness in legs and this pressure can orginate
> in the spinal column. A neurologist or orthopedist can do certain
> tests both in an office exam and via MRI or CAT scan that can help
> with the diagnosis. There are other causes for leg pain and numbness
> that are associated with other diseases so one can't know until one
> has it investigated. The symptoms can come and go depending on the
> type of physical activity. All I can say is that when I described my
> leg symptoms to the neurologist he was very interested and said they
> could well be caused by spinal stenosis. He did not, however, rule out
> other causes without the MRI. I will be interested in seeing the
> results of my MRI and have them further explained to me.
>
> I have known people who have arterioscleroris who also experienced
> leg pain and numbness when walking due to a narrowing of the blood
> vessels in the leg caused by the disease.
>
> I don't believe an Xray can reveal much, if anything definitive.
> But an MRI or CAT scan can. Years ago when I had a disc problem I
> had to have a mylogram to show that the disc was involved in the
> sciatica I experienced. That is a far more invasive test than an
> MRI or CAT scan. So the imaging now available is a vast improvement
> in diagnosing this kind of thing.

Thanks. I printed out a copy and will discuss with my Dr.

Bill


.

Relevant Pages

  • stop worrying for now?
    ... I had a thoracic MRI, ... burning in my left foot and leg. ... how long does the numbness last usually (this is still a MS-like ...
    (alt.support.mult-sclerosis)
  • Re: ok. i got my xray stuff
    ... the main support bone, tibia, for the lower leg. ... evidence of my having had polio. ... were the direct result of my left ankle doing wobbly things. ...
    (alt.support.arthritis)
  • Re: pain and test
    ... It is actually an antidepressant and often rx for neuropathy. ... He set me up with the hospital to have a MRI and a bone scan on Monday. ... Bone scans are easier and faster than MRIs, and you can do the entire body in half the time it takes to scan one joint in an MRI machine. ... Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant, ...
    (alt.support.arthritis)
  • Re: Group-Bauer Plan
    ... Flannery?s Throwim Way Leg this afternoon published in 1998, ... extremly rare thing among New Guinea cultures. ... collar bone and shoulder blade, so as to pierce the lungs. ... in PNG here - thanks all. ...
    (rec.games.chess.misc)
  • Re: pain and test
    ... I got through the MRI and Bone Scan. ... I am taking the cymbalta but cant tell it is helping anymore ... this pain and can get something to help it. ...
    (alt.support.arthritis)