What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can place pressure on the nerves within them. Like other spinal conditions, the most common locations for spinal stenosis are in the neck and low back. It causes pain in these regions as well as other symptoms from the nerve compression.
Without treatment and depending on the cause, spinal stenosis can get worse over time. Most cases come from osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear condition that causes changes in the spine, including joint damage.
What causes spinal stenosis?
There is a multitude of potential spinal stenosis causes, including conditions affecting the spinal joints and bones. The spaces in your spine can get narrower because of:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Herniated discs
- Thickening ligaments
- Back injuries
- Past surgeries
- Spinal tumors
Imaging scans such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can provide a detailed view of the spine and surrounding structures, which lends insight into what’s causing your spinal stenosis symptoms. They also help with treatment planning.
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis symptoms vary based on the regions along the spine where the canals have become narrow. Here are the symptoms of the two most common types:
Cervical spinal stenosis
Cervical spinal stenosis happens in the portion of your spine in your neck. The symptoms include radiating numbness or tingling in the arms and hands, neck pain, and trouble with balance and walking.
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis originates in the portion of your spine in the lower back. It causes low back pain, pain or cramping in the legs, and numbness or weakness in the legs and feet. Sciatica often occurs because of spinal stenosis.
How is spinal stenosis treated?
The team at Southern Pain and Spine creates an individualized, comprehensive care plan for your spinal stenosis according to its severity and your overall health. They specialize in providing conservative care that minimizes or eliminates the need for narcotic pain medications.
Your treatment plan for spinal stenosis might include the following:
- Medication management
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Steroid epidural injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Spinal cord stimulation
Most cases of spinal stenosis improve without surgery. The team at Southern Pain and Spine regularly follows up with you to make sure your symptoms improve with treatment.
Schedule your appointment for spinal stenosis with Southern Pain and Spine by calling the nearest office or requesting a referral online today.
