Some back issues are caused by conditions that heal over time. However, there are cases, such as spinal stenosis that can’t be resolved without any medical intervention. Our team at Ozark Orthopaedics Spine Center has vast experience in assessing and treating spinal stenosis.
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces within your spine. Your spine runs from your neck to your lower back. The bones of your spine form a canal, protecting your spinal nerves.
Spinal stenosis occurs when something happens that causes narrowing of this canal, causing the spinal nerve to be irritated. This can happen as a result of the formation of bone spurs, herniated disks, tumors, thickened ligaments, and other spinal injuries.
What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?
The symptoms can vary and they depend on the location of the stenosis and which nerves are affected.
If the stenosis occurs at the cervical spine (neck), you may experience:
– Numbness or tingling sensation in your arm, hand, leg, or foot
– Weakness in your arm, hand, leg, or foot
– Neck pain
– Problems in walking and balance
– In severe cases, bowel or bladder dysfunction
If the stenosis affects your lumbar spine (lower back), you may have the following symptoms:
– Numbness or tingling sensation in your leg or foot
– Weakness in your leg or foot
– Pain or cramping in one or both legs when standing for long periods of time or when walking (this may be relieved by bending forward or sitting)
– Back pain
How do we treat spinal stenosis?
How we treat spinal stenosis depends on the location and severity of your stenosis.
When you have minor symptoms, we may continually monitor them and advise physical therapy. If the symptoms worsen, we may prescribe medications. Steroid injections usually help relieve the swelling on the affected site.
If you have lumbar stenosis with a thickened ligament, a procedure called percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression may be recommended. In this procedure, needle-like instruments are used to remove a portion of the thickened ligament. This helps increase spinal canal space and relieving nerve root impingement.
Surgery is generally a last resort option. This may be recommended if other treatments aren’t providing any relief or if symptoms are already disabling you.
Our team at Ozark Orthopaedics Spine Center has years of experience in this field. Call us to request an appointment.
Are you ready to find relief for your lower back pain and improve your quality of life? You may call us at (479) 521-2752 to request an appointment or click the button below.