Spinal Stenosis Specialist

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal or the openings (neural foramina) where the nerves exit the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis is usually a degenerative condition of aging which is caused by bulging disks, arthritic facet joints and/or thickened ligaments in the spine. In these cases, it will not go away on its own. However, spinal stenosis may also be caused by a disc herniation or spondylolisthesis, and may be something a person is born with. 

When spinal stenosis occurs in the neck, cervical spinal stenosis may compress the spinal cord, leading to pain and difficulties with balance, bowel or bladder control. In other situations, individual nerves may be compressed, causing pain, weakness or numbness of the arms. 

When spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back, lumbar spinal stenosis squeezes the nerves going to the leg, causing radiating pain similar to sciatica, or a dull pain and heaviness in the legs when walking. When severe, lumbar spinal stenosis can affect balance, bowel and bladder function.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Symptoms of spinal stenosis depend on whether it occurs in the neck or lower back, and whether the spinal canal or neural foramina are narrowed. Your symptoms may include:

• Dull, aching sensations in the arms or legs
• Fatigue and increasing weakness with use of the arms or legs
• Increased pain when standing and walking
• Burning, tingling, or numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty with balance
• Difficulty with bowel or bladder control]

Pain from lumbar spinal stenosis usually goes away when sitting. 

If your symptoms are mild, your spinal stenosis may improve with physical therapy and home exercises. However, if your symptoms are severe or ongoing, Pain Management Specialists can help. 

What happens during a spinal stenosis evaluation?

The board-certified interventional pain management physicians at Pain Management Specialists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of spinal stenosis. 

During your evaluation, your doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history. They perform a physical exam, paying close attention to the area where you feel the most pain. To confirm or rule out a diagnosis, they may also request diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. 

Sometimes pain arising from blocked arteries, malfunctioning veins or neuropathy can mimic spinal stenosis. The interventional pain management experts at Pain Management Specialists will evaluate you for these conditions.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

At Pain Management Specialists, your doctor creates individualized treatment plans for spinal stenosis that focuses on providing the best possible outcomes. 

They find that most spinal stenosis patients obtain relief from their symptoms with a home exercise program, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections. For some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, a procedure called Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) may be performed to achieve long-lasting relief of spinal stenosis symptoms.

If interventional pain management treatments fail to alleviate yourspinal stenosis, the experts at Pain Management Specialists may refer you to one of the top spinal surgeons in the area for an evaluation. 

For relief from your spinal stenosis, call Pain Management Specialists or make an appointment using the online booking button.