Spinal Stenosis Specialist

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is narrowing within the spinal canal (the space housing your spinal cord) in your back or neck. As the spinal canal shrinks, pressure on the spinal cord or its connected nerves causes a number of uncomfortable physical symptoms. 

Spinal stenosis is a common condition in people over the age of 60, but the changes that lead to spinal stenosis usually start more than a decade earlier. 

There are two main types of spinal stenosis: cervical spinal stenosis affects the neck area, and lumbar spinal stenosis affects the lower back. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the more common of the two. 

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause a great deal of discomfort, with lower back pain being the most common symptom. Many people with lumbar spinal stenosis experience lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica) — shooting pain that moves down a leg. 

You may also experience:

• Loss of foot sensation
• Unpleasant tingling in a leg
• Heavy feeling leg
• Foot drop - foot slapping down when you walk

Cervical spinal stenosis causes very similar symptoms in the neck, arms, and hands. 

In the most severe cases of spinal stenosis, you could experience cauda equina syndrome, in which you lose control of your bladder and bowels. 

What causes spinal stenosis?

The most common cause of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis, which can trigger bone spur growth that narrows your spinal canal. Degenerative disc disease and herniated discs are also common causes of spinal stenosis. 

Additionally, many other conditions may alter the spinal canal and bring on this condition, including tumors, fractures, and ligament thickening. 

How is spinal stenosis treated?

Early spinal stenosis treatment at Total Spine Institute generally encompasses a combination approach of physical therapy, activity modification, and medication. If you have ongoing pain, you could need a procedure to target the underlying cause of your spinal stenosis. 

Many people experience good results with corticosteroid and anesthetic injections, as they can relieve pain for a few months or more. You could also be a good candidate for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, which helps your body repair damaged tissue.

Some cases of spinal stenosis may require a surgical approach for long-lasting results. The Total Spine Institute team performs minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries using the most up-to-date approaches, such as the Vertiflex™ Procedure Superion™ Indirect Decompression System, to minimize your pain and recovery time.

For compassionate spinal stenosis support, call Total Spine Institute or book an appointment using the online booking tool now.