pic

Spinal Stenosis Q & A

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a spine condition that describes a narrowing in the space of the spine. Your spine protects your spinal cord and provides an exit point for the spinal nerves that go to the rest of your body.

When there’s less space in the spine, it may irritate or compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves, causing varying degrees of discomfort. Anyone can develop spinal stenosis, but it most often occurs as you age due to degenerative spinal changes.

Spinal stenosis may affect any part of the spine, but it’s more common in the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis symptoms vary, and you can have the narrowing without having symptoms. Symptoms occur when there’s nerve involvement and may include:

  • Neck or lower back pain
  • Pain that radiates into the arms or legs
  • Tingling, numbness, or burning sensation
  • Muscle weakness 
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control

Once symptoms start, they worsen over time. The pain management experts at The Neuroscience and Spine Institute can provide the care you need to reduce your spinal stenosis symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What can I expect during a spinal stenosis evaluation?

You can expect a professional and patient-centered evaluation when you visit The Neuroscience and Spine Institute for help with managing your spinal stenosis. Your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including the type of pain you feel and the activities that make your pain worse or better. 

They review your medical history and the treatments you’ve tried to get relief from your symptoms. They perform a physical exam and may request X-rays or MRIs to confirm your spinal stenosis and assess the severity of your narrowing.

What are some treatments that can help spinal stenosis?

Treatment for spinal stenosis depends on the part of the spine affected and the severity of your symptoms. Your provider customizes your plan to match your issues and goals.

Some of the treatments that help spinal stenosis include:

  • Activity modification
  • Physical therapy
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Pain medication
  • Epidural steroid injections
  • Nerve blocks
  • Radiofrequency ablation

If your symptoms worsen, your provider at The Neuroscience and Spine Institute may refer you to a surgeon to discuss other interventions. 

To learn more about pain management for spinal stenosis, call The Neuroscience and Spine Institute or schedule an appointment online today.