Is Stem Cell Therapy an Effective Treatment for Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the spine narrow and put undue pressure on the nerves within. This pressure can irritate the nerves and create a range of symptoms from minor aches and tingling to chronic pain and a reduced range of motion.

Though many may not experience symptoms for some time, it is estimated that between 250,000 and 500,000 US residents have or are developing some form of spinal stenosis. The condition is more prevalent with older age – roughly 5 of every 1000 people over the age of 50 may be developing the issue.

This comes as no surprise as spinal stenosis is most typically caused by the degradation of the tissues within the spine and has even been linked to degenerative illnesses such as osteoarthritis.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis usually occurs in the neck or lower back and causes several symptoms that affect movement and general quality of life.

The spine is one of the most innervated portions of the body. It is a highway for the brain to send and receive electrical impulses from our various organs, muscles, and other tissues. Due to its prolific number of nerves, a slight malfunction or degeneration within the spine can significantly impact a person’s lifestyle.

In spinal stenosis, the spaces between the vertebrae that make up the spine compress and pinch the nerves between them. The most narrowing occurs within the neck (cervical spinal stenosis) or the lower back (lumbar stenosis). While both types share symptoms, the portions of the body in which the symptoms occur vary.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

There are many causes of spinal canal narrowing. Usually, it occurs due to gradual changes in the spine. Sometimes, it may be due to aging or degenerative changes, and other times, underlying conditions may be the real cause.

Osteoarthritis

One of the most common causes of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that leads to wear and tear of the cartilage joints and intervertebral discs over time. The body forms bone spurs or osteophytes to compensate for the damage.

These further get into the spinal canal, reducing the available space for the cord and nerves, which causes compression and leads to stenosis symptoms.

Herniated Disc

The intervertebral disc is more like a cushion between two vertebrae. It increases the spine’s flexibility and ability to absorb shocks. 

With age or due to injuries, the disc can protrude or bulge out, causing rupture or herniation. The displaced disc presses onto the spinal cord or nerves, causing spinal stenosis.

Thickened Ligaments

Another leading cause of spinal stenosis is thick ligaments. These ligaments are the connective tissues that stabilize the spine; over time, they lose their elasticity or become swollen. This can also cause the ligaments to enter the spinal canal, narrowing the space and compressing the nerves.

Injuries

Many times, traumatic incidents like car accidents can cause a dislocation, fracture, or structural damage to the spine. This can cause bone fragments or misalign the vertebrae, which get onto the spinal canal and narrow the space.

At times, post-injury healing can also cause complex tissue formation, which can narrow down the spine space.

Congenital Stenosis

Some people are born with a narrow spinal canal or a condition called congenital spinal stenosis. Although kids do not show symptoms of it, they are susceptible to developing spinal stenosis later on in life, mainly due to the degenerative process.

However, early diagnosis is best as it can lead to appropriate pain and symptom management.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

The symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending on the patient’s condition, location of pain, and other factors. However, the main symptoms patients usually cite are: 

• General weakness
• There may be pain or cramps in the legs, especially when they stand or walk, and relief can be felt by sitting or leaning forward.
• Pain or stiffness or reduced mobility overall in the affected area

• Numbness throughout the limbs (hands, feet, arms, or legs)
• Neck aches 
• Reduced grip strength in the hand
• Reduced flexion of the arm or leg
• Balance and coordination issues

Lumbar Stenosis Symptoms

• Numbness in the lower body (feet or legs)
• Weakness of the foot or leg
• Cramps and aches in the legs after minor physical exertion such as walking or standing for long periods
• Legs have a reduced range of motion
• Balance and coordination issues
• Back pain

Though these symptoms are not specific to spinal stenosis, how they manifest themselves can indicate that stenosis may be the root issue. If the pain emerges and worsens over time, minor movements incite the symptoms, or if stretching of the neck or lumbar creates a flare-up, spinal stenosis is likely part of the issue.

Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis

Now, the diagnosis of spinal stenosis takes place in a series of steps. First, the doctor studies the medical history of the patient. They look into the past injuries or other symptoms they may have. This requires a physical examination where they check the patient’s body’s reflexes, mobility, and neurological response.

Past back injuries and the patient’s age are some of the most important factors to consider when diagnosing a possible case of spinal stenosis.

Past injuries can cause acute damage to the structures within the spine, which may cause malformations that lead to compressed nerves. As we age, we also lose valuable soft tissues which cushion the spine’s vertebrae from one another. As this tissue degrades, the spine compresses and can begin to pinch the nerves between each vertebra.

Physical examinations that involve stretching the spine or applying pressure to specific parts of the back may also be used. These tests aim to recreate the pain a person feels, isolate the pain to a specific portion of the back, and narrow down the possible inciting factors of the pain.

Finally, medical imaging such as MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays can provide a clearer view of the internal structures of the spine and help doctors determine their current condition and whether stenosis is the likely cause.

If spinal stenosis is the ultimate diagnosis, doctors typically recommend a range of treatment options. Based on the patient’s functional goals, doctors create a plan to determine how best to meet those goals.

Traditional Treatment Options

Generally, treatment begins with a conservative approach. For example, doctors suggest physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and improve the patient’s posture.

The patients may also be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or muscle relaxation to reduce pain and inflammation.

If they still feel pain, they may be given epidural steroid injections, but that only offers temporary relief from the pain and swelling. However, in extreme or severe cases, surgery will be advised, like laminectomy or spinal fusion, to create space in the canal.

Conventional treatments for spinal stenosis aim to relieve pain and help patients to continue their regular activities. These treatments can be used alone or combined to achieve greater results. 

Each treatment helps differently and requires a different level of engagement from the patient to be successful.

Physical Therapy for Spinal Stenosis

Physical therapies (PT) are popular for all back issues, not just stenosis. PT is simply any treatment by physical means. Massage, hot/cold therapy, guided stretching (such as yoga), exercise, and compression (binding) are some of the most popular physical therapies used to treat spinal stenosis symptoms.

These treatments are widely used because they are simple, can be done at a patient’s leisure, and are economically viable. However, they may not be as effective as other treatments in dealing with specific issues related to spinal stenosis. 

For instance, degenerated tissues cannot be brought back through physical therapy, and if practiced improperly, they may escalate the issue.

Medication for Spinal Stenosis

Typically, doctors recommend the use of over-the-counter medication rather than prescription medication. Naproxen, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are some of the most widely available drugs and help treat the pain and inflammation associated with spinal stenosis.

If these medications fail to provide relief, doctors may recommend more potent medicines aimed at reducing your perception of pain. If you regularly take other medication, mention it to your doctor so he can make the proper adjustments. Side effects can vary from person to person and may inflame the symptoms and causes of spinal stenosis.

Steroidal Injections for Spinal Stenosis

Once thought to be a miracle cure for soft tissue pains throughout the body, steroidal injections have recently come under scrutiny amongst the medical community. 

The latest research shows that while these treatments can provide immediate relief from pains associated with soft tissue damage, they can also amplify the breakdown of these tissues if not used sparingly.

Surgery for Spinal Stenosis

Typically the last resort for any type of injury, doctors are especially wary of recommending surgery for spinal stenosis. Recovery periods are long, and the use of prescription pain medication in the healing process is almost always anticipated.

However, if conventional treatments fail to meet a patient’s functional goals or if the side effects and recovery periods are too much for a patient, there are many alternatives to consider. 

One of the most prolific treatments is regenerative therapy: stem cell treatment and PRP therapy.

Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis

Stem cells are the body’s raw materials or special cells that can develop into other cell types, such as muscle cells, nerve cells, or bone cells. They are important and can help repair, grow, and regenerate damaged tissues.

Key Characteristics of Stem Cells

Stem cells have the unique ability to regenerate tissues and repair damage. When introduced to damaged areas over time, they can boost healing and improve cell renewal and tissue repair. 

With stem cell treatment, cancer cells can also transform into special cells like cartilage muscles or nerve cells, making them amazing treatment options for conditions otherwise deemed impossible to treat.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy has many benefits, making it a number one choice and an increasingly widely used process for treating damaged or spinal cells. Some of the benefits it offers are:

• Nonsurgical Treatment: It is a minimally invasive or non-surgical option that is best for spinal stenosis. 
• Pain Relief: The procedure is best for pain relief and reduces inflammation and pressure on the nerves, taking away discomfort
• Improves Healing: The procedure heals the spinal tissues, enhancing the body’s mobility and, of course, the quality of life. 
• Quick Recovery: Compared to other difficult surgical methods, the procedure has a short downtime, and patients can be up on their feet sooner without post-surgical complications.

Challenges and Limitations

However, there are challenges and limitations to the process. The first is that it is a costly procedure and is usually not covered by insurance. 

The treatment options are variable, with different protocols and standards offered by different providers. The process is not available worldwide; it is only limited to specific specialized clinics or centers.

While the results look promising, their effectiveness is still being researched. It is not ideal for severe spinal degeneration, where the only option left is surgery. Moreover, it carries risks, like infection, reaction to the injected cells, or improper body response.

However, these challenges are no different from any other procedure for healing or improving mobility. So, consult with a qualified specialist who can guide you through the treatment options and examine your condition before suggesting stem cell therapy.

While stem cell therapy is nothing new, recent developments have led to the discovery of stem cells known as mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells are derived from adult tissues such as bone marrow. By extracting bone marrow directly from the patient, processing it, and reinjecting these cells into the site of an injury, the treatments will amplify the body’s natural healing processes and provide it with ample growth factors to perform repairs.

Once inside the body, the stem cells latch onto an injury and create an environment suitable for repair. From there, they send out chemical impulses that attract the body’s healing factors to the injury site and help boost their effects.

In cases of spinal stenosis, doctors can use special medical imaging procedures to place the stem cells where they will have the most impact. 

Stem cell injections are beneficial over conventional treatments because they are minimally invasive and treat not only the symptoms but also the causes. As a result, these treatments last much longer than conventional treatments.

Furthermore, treatments are outpatient procedures with short recovery times. Most patients experience soreness for several days after the injection but report pain relief lasting 6 months to a year afterward.