Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within your spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This narrowing can occur in any part of the spine but is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine). People with spinal stenosis may experience pain, numbness, or weakness, making it harder to perform everyday activities.
Age-related wear and tear (degenerative changes in the spine)
Herniated discs pressing on the spinal canal
Thickened ligaments in the spine
Bone spurs (osteophytes) due to osteoarthritis
Spinal injuries or fractures
Tumors inside or near the spine
Genetic conditions causing spinal canal narrowing
Being over the age of 50
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
Previous spinal injuries or surgeries
Congenital spinal conditions (born with a narrow spinal canal)
Obesity, which increases stress on the spine
Sedentary lifestyle leading to weak supporting muscles
Pain in the lower back or neck
Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Weakness in the extremities
Difficulty walking or balancing
Cramping or discomfort in the legs, especially when standing or walking
Loss of bladder or bowel control in severe cases
Treatments range from conservative treatment to surgery. Our goal is to provide you with the best treatment plan to reduce pain, but these treatments do not change the underlying source of pain. Medical treatments are often used in combination such as: medications, physical therapy programs, and injection therapy.
Treats radiating pain; deposit the medication, typically steroids in the epidural space of the spine.
Targets a specific spinal nerve and deposit medication around the nerve at the point where it exits the intervertebral foramen (bony opening between adjacent vertebrae).
Treat pain stemming from a specific facet joint.
Deposit medication around the medial branches of spinal nerves. The medial branch is a nerve that sends pain signals to the brain from an arthritic facet joint. An injection directed around the medial branch can relieve neck and lower back pain.
Treats pain by lesioning medial branch nerves of the facet joints.
