5 Things You Need to Know about Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is one of the most common conditions resulting in neck and low back pain in men and women. Here’s what you need to know about this condition:

1. What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal and/or neuroforamen leading to compression of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The compression results in inflammation and pain.

2. Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Generally, spinal stenosis results from an injury to spine or a disease. Osteoarthritis (spondylosis) is the most common cause of the condition in which the cartilage that cushions joints begins to degenerate. Stenosis may also occur in individuals genetically prone to the disease. Some of the other causes include spinal injury, herniated discs, and bulging discs.

3. Non-Surgical Treatments for Spinal Stenosis

There are several non-surgical treatment options doctors recommend for spinal stenosis. These include:

- Acupuncture to relieve pain
- Massage to relieve pain
- Low impact exercise to strengthen core muscles to impart spinal support. This relieves pain
- Swimming
- Over-the-counter NSAIDs to minimize inflammation and pain
- Physical therapy
- Epidural steroid injection for several spinal stenosis

4. Surgery for Spinal Stenosis

Most patients respond well to non-surgical treatments. However, under some situations your spine doctor may suggest a surgical procedure. These conditions include:

When medication and/or a combination of other non-surgical treatments fails to reduce pain and symptoms

- Severe pain that is becoming worse
- Loss of bladder/bowel control
- Partial/total loss of sensation
- Pain, numbness, tingling in the arms or legs
- Reduced or loss of function/strength in your arms or legs

5. Types of Surgeries Performed for Spinal Stenosis

The most common surgical procedures performed for treating spine stenosis include:

- Fusion
- Decompression
- Stabilization