Michigan Neuroscience and Michigan Brain Injury Care | Harold Portnoy, MD

MICHIGAN NEUROSCIENCE

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland leads the way as Michigan's first certified primary stroke center and home of the Michigan Stroke Network, the most advanced stroke response program in the nation. From top level neuroscience doctors to breakthrough treatments in brain injury care, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland caters to Michigan's neuroscience needs.

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OF THE MEDICAL REPORT

Harold Portnoy, MD

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
Neurosurgeon

THE FACTS ABOUT LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS

Background

Spinal stenosis occurs when excessive growth of bone narrowsthe spinal canal at one or more vertebrae of the lumbar spine. Most common in men and women over age 50, individuals with this disorder suffer pain in the legs on walking as well as back pain. They may also suffer from numbness, weakness, cramping, or pain in the back or legs.

Podcast Posted: 8/10/2007
Duration: 00:59

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“Spinal stenosis is either primary or acquired,” says Harold Portnoy, MD, a neurosurgeon at SJMO. “Although primary stenosis is present at birth, most people have acquired spinal stenosis which develops later in life. This type of stenosis is usually due to degenerative changes in the spine due to osteoarthritis with overgrowth of the joints and bone on both sides of the spinal canal that compress the nerve roots to the legs” (see Figure 1)

Diagnosis of spinal stenosis is determined mostly by the specific history of the symptoms along with the physical examination and confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and/or Computerized Tomography (CT) scanning.

ADVANTAGES
In mild to moderate cases, symptoms can be controlled with medications that relieve pain and reduce inflammation, exercise to maintain strength and flexibility and physical therapy. In more severe cases, surgery is usually necessary to remove the bone and tissue that compress the nerve roots in the lumbar spinal canal. The usual surgery involves stripping down and retracting the muscles on both sides of the spine and removing the entire back part of the spinal canal (see Figure 2). Portnoy, MD notes that “Using a minimally invasive technique, the compressing bone on both sides is still removed but only the muscles on one side are retracted (see Figure 3). This relieves the pain due to the stenosis while reducing postoperative pain and length of hospitalization.

CAUTIONS
Most individuals ignore the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis. It is important to seek medical advice if you experience pain in the back along with pain in the legs on walking. When severe lumbar spinal stenosis occurs, it can lead to nerve damage and paralysis.

REFERRALS
Please contact the SJMO physician referral line at 800.372.6094 to find an SJMO neurosurgeon near you.

THE MEDICAL REPORT LIBRARY:

MICHIGAN NEUROSCIENCE

	Stroke Care Richard Fessler, MD Posted: 12/3/2007
	Brain Tumors Paul Croissant, MD Posted: 12/3/2007
	Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Harold Portnoy, MD Posted: 8/10/2007
	Women and Strokes Lionel Glass, MD Posted: 8/10/2007
	Degenerative Disc Disease Todd Nida, MD Posted: 8/10/2007
	Cerebral Aneurysm John Whapham, MD Posted: 8/10/2007

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