What is lumbar stenosis with myelopathy?

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in your spine narrow due to age-related wear and tear or an injury. This can lead to an increase in pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Over time, spinal stenosis can cause severe compression of the spinal cord, also called myelopathy.

What is spinal stenosis neurogenic claudication?

Neurogenic claudication is usually caused by spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) in the lumbar spine (lower back). The narrowing of the spinal canal is generally caused by wear and tear and arthritic changes in the lower spine.

What is neurogenic claudication?

Neurogenic claudication — also known as pseudoclaudication — is best defined by breaking down the two parts of its name: Neurogenic: Stemming from the nervous system. Claudication: Leg pain, or more specifically, difficulty or weakness with walking.

What is the difference between stenosis and myelopathy?

Spinal stenosis may occur throughout the spine but is more dangerous in the neck due to the presence of the spinal cord. Myelopathy describes any neurologic symptoms related to the spinal cord and is a serious condition. It occurs from spinal stenosis that causes pressure on the spinal cord.

Can spinal stenosis cause myelopathy?

Myelopathy is an injury to the spinal cord caused by severe compression that may be a result of spinal stenosis, disc degeneration, disc herniation, autoimmune disorders or other trauma.

How can you tell the difference between vascular and neurogenic claudication?

Vascular claudication: This is usually a symptom of serious blood flow problems, especially peripheral artery disease. Neurogenic claudication: This is caused by problems with your spine and nervous system.

What causes myelopathy?

Causes of Myelopathy Myelopathy is the result of compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots caused by inflammation, arthritis, bone spurs and spinal degeneration due to aging. Myelopathy can also take an acute form or result from a spine deformity at birth.

Is spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication a disability?

Neurogenic claudication means the problem originates within the nervous system and causes weakness or painful cramping within the legs. If you are able to present the proper medical documentation, you are able to qualify for disability benefits.

What is the difference between radiculopathy and myelopathy?

Myelopathy is the result of spinal cord compression. The difference is that myelopathy affects the entire spinal cord. In comparison, radiculopathy refers to compression on an individual nerve root. However, myelopathy may sometimes be accompanied by radiculopathy.

Is cervical myelopathy the same as spinal stenosis?

Spinal cord or nerve function may be affected, causing symptoms of cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy. (Cervical stenosis is the name for the actual narrowing of the canal, while cervical myelopathy indicates injury to the spinal cord and its function.)

What happens in myelopathy?

When any part of the spinal cord is compressed, it causes nerve dysfunction along the spinal cord resulting in pain, loss of balance and coordination and numbness in the area around the compression point. Myelopathy can occur in any area along the spinal cord.