Back Pain
SPINAL STENOSIS

Causes, Symptoms

and Treatments.

What is it?

Spinal stenosis, also known as spinal narrowing, is the gradual narrowing of the spinal column, which, in turn, compresses the spinal nerves running through the vertebrae, leading to several back problems.

COMMON CAUSES

Spinal stenosis usually happens due to natural age-related wear-and-tear of the spinal components. As you age, your spine’s tissues thicken and the bones enlarge, minimizing the space in the spinal column. However, the inflammation caused by issues like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis worsen the condition, narrowing the spinal column faster. Besides age-related conditions, spinal stenosis may also happen due to bone tumors, scoliosis, abnormal bone destruction, and other spinal defects.

MAIN SYMPTOMS

The specific symptoms of spinal stenosis depend on the location. Cervical (neck) spinal stenosis leads to numbness and tingling sensations in the hands and arms, weakness, neck pain, urinary incontinence, imbalance issues, etc. Lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis leads to numbness and tingling sensations in the feet and legs, weakness, frequent cramps in one or both legs, and back pain. You may also experience balancing problems.

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SPINAL STENOSIS
TREATMENT

SPINAL STENOSIS TREATMENT

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Spinal stenosis worsens due to muscle weakness and inactivity. However, consistent and sustained physical therapy helps you build your strength and relieve some of the symptoms of spinal stenosis. With physical therapy, you can restore flexibility and spinal stability, improve your balance, and regain mobility in your back and neck. Physical therapy is the first line of treatment for spinal stenosis.

EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS

Spinal stenosis only causes pain when the narrowed spinal canal compresses or pinches the spinal nerves carrying pain signals to the brain. Epidural steroid injections are delivered into the epidural spaces around the targeted nerves to reduce the inflammation, providing immediate pain relief. Corticosteroids don’t treat spinal stenosis, but they reduce the symptoms associated with the inflammation around your nerves.

LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION

Lumbar decompression is a minimally invasive procedure that uses needle-like instruments to remove the thickened or expanded ligaments in the back of the spinal canal, reducing the nerve root compression. However, this procedure is only suitable for patients suffering from lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis caused by expanded ligaments.

LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION

Lumbar decompression is a minimally invasive procedure that uses needle-like instruments to remove the thickened or expanded ligaments in the back of the spinal canal, reducing the nerve root compression. However, this procedure is only suitable for patients suffering from lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis caused by expanded ligaments.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER
SPINAL STENOSIS TREATMENT

POST-TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT

Epidural steroid injections and lumbar decompression are minimally invasive treatments that provide immediate pain relief. However, you must note that lumbar decompression only works in specific situations, and epidural steroid injections relieve spinal stenosis symptoms without addressing the root cause. As such, these minimally invasive treatments must be accompanied and followed by regular physical therapy to maintain long-term results. You’ll also be given detailed instructions on your diet, activities, and medications — you must carefully follow the instructions.

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Will your health insurance cover your pain treatment?

Most pain treatments are covered by most health insurances, including medicare. Our insurance specialists are available to discuss your options call us to get started at (866) 446-0946 or fill out the form below:

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