Treating Spinal Stenosis
Every year, over 1 million people in the United States are affected by spinal stenosis. Luckily, there are many treatment options available, both surgical and nonsurgical, for those affected by this condition.
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spine narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cords and nerves in the spine. This can cause some people to experience pain, muscle weakness, or tingling, while others may have no symptoms. Some other symptoms of spinal stenosis include:
- Lower back pain
- Cramping in one or both legs
- Neck pain
- Difficulty walking
- Foot disorders
- A heavy feeling in the legs
Causes
Most commonly, spinal stenosis is caused by aging and osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. If you are over the age of 50, you may be at a higher risk of developing spinal stenosis. As we age, ligaments, bones, and tissues tend to grow larger. This growth can contribute to the pressure that is put on the spine. However, spinal stenosis can happen at any age when there are issues such as:
- Physical trauma
- A bone spur
- A herniated disk
- A tumor on the spine
- Calcium deposits on ligaments
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosing spinal stenosis usually involves a physical examination and an imaging test, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Depending on the severity of the condition, there are both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.
Nonsurgical
- Medications
- Physical Therapy
- Steroid Shots
- Back braces/other orthotics
Surgical
- Laminectomy: the removal of the bone or soft tissues on the spine that are putting pressure on the nerves.
- Laminotomy: part of the lamina (back of vertebrae) is removed to relieve pressure in a specific spot.
- Lumbar Fusion: the damaged vertebrae are fused together.
Sources: Ihsan Balkaya, MD, Mayo Clinic, Northwestern Medicine