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How to Define Spinal Stenosis

Monday, September 07, 2009
Related Tags: stenosis | spinal | spine | greek | etymology
 

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • X-ray
  • MRI
  • CAT scan
  • Step 1:
    Remember that the word "spinal" refers to the 26 bones down your back called vertebrae, as well as the soft discs between them. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord, which is a long bundle of nerves that attaches to your brain.
  • Step 2:
    Look at the Greek etymology of the word "stenosis." In Greek, "stenos" means "narrow" or "contracted." Therefore, "spinal stenosis" refers to any narrowing in the parts of the spine.
  • Step 3:
    Have an x-ray, MRI or CAT scan to determine if spinal stenosis is the cause of your back pain. Whether it's congenital or caused by injury, aging, arthritis, tumors or other degeneration as a result of poor posture or diet, spinal stenosis means that something has caused a narrowing around the spinal cord, around the nerve roots that are attached to the spine or to the areas around the discs.
  • Step 4:
    Have your spinal stenosis monitored carefully. When a part of the spine narrows, it can cause pain, weakness, numbness or lack of control over other parts of the body.

Resources

Photo/Video Credit

Image courtesy of A E Francis: wikimedia.org

How to Define Spinal Stenosis Provided by eHow.com
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