Can I Have A Baby If I Have Spinal Stenosis?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I have a baby if I have spinal stenosis? Having a spinal cord injury (SCI)

does not affect your ability to naturally become pregnant, carry, and deliver a baby

, so your decision to have children is made in much the same way as anyone else.

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Does spinal stenosis shorten your life?

Spinal stenosis can result in significant morbidity.

Severe disability and death may result from the association of cervical stenosis with even minor trauma resulting in the central cord syndrome.

Is spinal stenosis a serious condition?

Spinal stenosis is caused by gradual narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in painful pressure and compression on the spinal cord and nerves. While

spinal stenosis is not a serious condition in the initial stages, it can lead to serious and permanent damage if it becomes advanced or remains untreated

.

Can spinal stenosis cause permanent damage?


Without treatment, spinal stenosis may lead to permanent nerve damage

. Stenosis may develop in any part of the spine, though it is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine) or in the neck (cervical spine).

What can make spinal stenosis worse?


Diet and exercise

Diet and exercise can be considered for patients that have spinal stenosis who are also overweight. Because additional fat in the body presses down on the spine and makes it support more weight, it aggravates spinal stenosis and may even lead to the condition developing.

What should I avoid with spinal stenosis?

  • Avoid Excessive Back Extension. …
  • Avoid Long Walks or Running. …
  • Avoid Certain Stretches and Poses. …
  • Avoid Loading a Rounded Back. …
  • Avoid Too Much Bed Rest. …
  • Avoid Contact Sports.

Is spinal stenosis a disability?

Fortunately, lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the few back conditions recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with an official impairment listing, meaning that

those with documented cases of severe lumbar spinal stenosis are automatically granted disability benefits

—if you can meet the SSA’s tough …

What are the final stages of spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis, often an end stage of the spine degenerative process, is characterized by

leg pain with walking

. Pain will go away with rest but you may have to specifically sit down to ease the leg pain.

Will I end up in a wheelchair with spinal stenosis?

Disability:

In severe cases of spinal stenosis, a patient can end up permanently disabled

. This may be through paralysis, or weakness so severe that it is impossible to stand and move as normal. It is not unreasonable to expect severe stenosis to lead to a person being bound to a wheelchair.

What happens if you let spinal stenosis go untreated?

Rarely, untreated severe spinal stenosis may progress and cause permanent:

Numbness

.

Weakness

.

Balance problems

.

Can a chiropractor fix spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a painful condition that is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal. Although

chiropractic treatments cannot cure spinal stenosis

, they can reduce symptoms in patients with mild cases.

What is the most common treatment for spinal stenosis?


Surgery to decompress the area of stenosis

is the most definitive way to try to resolve symptoms of spinal stenosis. Research shows that spine surgeries result in fewer complications when done by highly experienced surgeons. Don’t hesitate to ask about your surgeon’s experience with spinal stenosis surgery.

Is walking good for spinal stenosis?


Walking is a good exercise for spinal stenosis

. It’s low impact, and you control the pace and distance.

What is the best sleeping position for spinal stenosis?

Many people with spinal stenosis find the most comfort sleeping

on their side in “fetal position”

— that is, with knees curled up toward the abdomen. Another alternative is to sleep in an adjustable bed or recliner that allows the head and knees to remain elevated.

Does spinal stenosis get worse with age?

This narrowing may compress your spinal cord and/or spinal nerves and can develop at various points along your spine. Spinal stenosis is a condition that’s more likely to occur in people over 60 years of age and

tends to worsen as the years add up

.

How do you fix spinal stenosis without surgery?

  1. Steroid Injections. Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to provide long-term pain relief. …
  2. DRX9000. …
  3. Medication. …
  4. Physical Therapy. …
  5. Correcting Posture. …
  6. Permanent Lifestyle Changes. …
  7. Facet Blocks. …
  8. Radiofrequency Ablation.

How should you sit with spinal stenosis?

When sitting,

avoid leaning forward, make sure there is proper lumbar support for the inward curve of the low back, and keep both feet flat on the ground

.

Can spinal stenosis be cured?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spine that happens gradually over time.

There is no cure for lumbar spinal stenosis

but your healthcare provider can help you manage the condition.

When Is spinal stenosis an emergency?

But if you develop any of the following emergency signs, you should see a doctor immediately:

Loss of bowel and/or bladder function

. Worsening or disabling spine pain, such as in the neck, mid back, low back. Arm and/or leg weakness, pain, numbness, or tingling.

Is lumbar spinal stenosis serious?

Lumbar spinal stenosis

can cause mild to serious symptoms

, affecting daily life. While nonsurgical treatments are tried first, the patient may decide to have surgery if the symptoms are severe and cause significant dysfunction.

How does spinal stenosis cause death?

Cervical spinal stenosis is the medical condition in which the spinal canal within the neck region becomes too narrow.

Any stricture within the spinal canal places pressure on the branching nerves of the spine cord

. If the stenosis is severe it can cause paralysis, quadriplegia or death.

How much disability do you get for spinal stenosis?

The amount you must earn to be working at SGA changes each year. For 2018 it is

$1,180 per month if you are not blind and $1,970 per month if you are blind

. If you are working, and your earnings average more than the SGA limit, then you will not be found disabled.

Can you reverse spinal stenosis naturally?

While spinal stenosis

can’t be reversed

, treatment is available to address your pain.

Can spinal stenosis cause brain problems?


Cervical stenosis can cause CSF flow alterations which can result in increased intracranial pressure and buildup of waste products

. Resulting symptoms are headaches and other neurological defects. It can also contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.

Does spinal stenosis make your legs weak?

Arthritis, falls, accidents and wear and tear on the bones and joints in the spine also play a part in stenosis.

As the lumbar spinal canal shrinks, the nerves that go through it are squeezed. This squeezing may cause back pain, leg pain and leg weakness

. Many adults have this kind of stenosis.

Can stenosis be stopped?


There is no surefire way to prevent spinal stenosis

, but you can take steps in your daily life to promote spine health. Adopting habits that promote spine health may lower the risk of spinal stenosis.

Does spinal stenosis cause hip and leg pain?

And

patients with spinal stenosis will often get pain down the leg, sometimes below the knee

. There are often neurologic symptoms like numbness and tingling and some weakness feeling but, believe it or not, hip patients can have these symptoms as well.

Can wearing a back brace help spinal stenosis?


Bracing for lumbar spinal stenosis aims to reduce pressure on and limit micro-motions in the lower spine

, both of which can cause nerve root irritation and radicular pain. In some cases, a brace can help adjust posture or shift weight to the abdomen the goal of unloading pressure from the spine.

Is spinal stenosis a serious surgery?

When does stenosis require surgery?

Spinal stenosis surgery helps to reopen your spinal canal, the channel in your backbone that houses your spinal cord and other nerves. A doctor does the surgery

when the space in the canal narrows because of arthritis, bone spurs, or other problems

. When that happens, the nerves can be pinched or squeezed.

What is the best doctor to treat spinal stenosis?

Experience.

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in spine conditions (neurologists) and spine surgery (neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons)

have experience in evaluating and treating people with all types of spinal stenosis.

Can Hanging Upside Down help spinal stenosis?

Does riding a bike help spinal stenosis?

For some conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, biking can be beneficial.

Those with lumbar spinal stenosis can experience relief in the back and leg while biking since it’s an exercise in which the back is flexed

.

What type of mattress is best for spinal stenosis?


Memory foam

is one of the better mattress types for people with spinal stenosis thanks to its pressure-relieving capabilities. Memory foam mattresses respond well under your body, absorbing any pressure build-up when you lay down.

Is Climbing stairs good for spinal stenosis?

In essence,

walking uphill and doing stairs decreases the space in your already-narrowed spinal channels

. With spinal stenosis, you may also have pain when you’re walking normally—but generally, that’s when you’re walking a longer distance (as in longer than from your car to the house).

What are three treatments for spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is commonly treated with medication, both over-the-counter and prescription.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

reduce pain and inflammation. Examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.