M47.07: Anterior spinal and vertebral artery compression syndromes Lumbosacral region

Blood vessels in your spine are being pinched.

The blood vessels in the spine supply blood to areas of the spinal cord. When the blood vessels are compressed, certain parts of the spinal cord can be damaged. Blood vessels at the junction between your lumbar spine and your sacrum are affected.

The spine consists of several sections. The cervical spine begins below the head. The cervical spine is very mobile. Below that is the thoracic spine. The ribs are attached to the thoracic spine. Below the thoracic spine is the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is also very mobile and it bears a large part of the body’s weight. After the lumbar spine, the sacrum and coccyx join. The bony spine is made up of individual vertebrae. Between the various vertebrae are intervertebral discs. Intervertebral discs consist of cartilage and connective tissue.

If the vertebrae or vertebral discs are changed, blood vessels can be pinched. Various symptoms may arise as a result. The symptoms depend on where blood vessels have been compressed. You may then feel pain or a tingling in your skin. One’s skin may also feel numb in certain places. It may also be that you are no longer able to move certain muscles properly. You may also have problems when passing water or with bowel movements.