Spinal Stenosis Specialist

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of your vertebral canal. The condition can affect any part of your spine, but most often affects the lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine).

Some people are born with spinal stenosis, but most people develop the condition over time due to general wear-and-tear. 

As you get older, your facet joints may develop bone spurs, which press on the spinal canal and pinch the nerve roots entering and exiting your spinal cord. You can also develop spinal stenosis from degenerative disc disease, which may also pinch nerves and cause pain.

In some cases, a combination of bone spurs and degenerative disc disease results in spinal stenosis. 

What are spinal stenosis symptoms?

Not everyone with spinal stenosis develops symptoms. If and when symptoms occur, however, they tend to worsen with time. The types of symptoms you experience may depend on the area of your spine affected.

Common symptoms of spinal stenosis include:

• Neck or back pain
• Numbness or tingling sensation that travels to your extremities
• Leg or arm muscle weakness
• Pain or cramping in one or both legs
• Poor balance
• Difficulty walking or standing

You may also feel as though your legs are heavy. 

What can I expect during a spinal stenosis evaluation?

You can expect a comprehensive evaluation from the specialists at Interventional Spine Medicine when you come to the office seeking relief from your spinal stenosis symptoms. During your exam, your specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical.

To confirm a diagnosis and assess the severity of your spinal stenosis, your specialist may request diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

The specialists at Interventional Spine Medicine develop comprehensive treatment plans using the most advanced approaches for the treatment of spinal stenosis. 

The specifics of your treatment plan may depend on the location of your spinal stenosis, your symptoms, and your overall health. Some of the treatment options offered at Interventional Spine Medicine include:

• Medications
• Nerve blocks
• Epidural steroid injections

If conservative measures fail to relieve your symptoms, the spine specialists may suggest surgery to improve spinal spacing and relieve the pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots to alleviate your symptoms.

To schedule an appointment with the specialists at Interventional Spine Medicine to learn more about the treatment options for spinal stenosis, call the office.