Spinal Stenosis

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes narrowing of your spinal canal. This narrowing can place pressure on spinal nerves and lead to neck and back pain, as well as a variety of other unpleasant symptoms. 

Cervical stenosis causes a narrow spinal canal in your neck, while lumbar stenosis occurs when you have a narrowed canal in your lower back. Treatment with Interventional Pain Management Associates can offer pain relief.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Common signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis include:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Difficulty with balance or walking
• Bladder or bowel dysfunction
• Cramping in your legs
• Pain with walking

Complications sometimes associated with untreated spinal stenosis include incontinence and paralysis in severe cases.

What are the risk factors for spinal stenosis?

While anyone can develop spinal stenosis, common causes and risk factors include:

• Bone overgrowth
• Herniated discs
• Thickened ligaments 
• Spinal injuries
• Tumors 
• Older age
• Family history of spinal stenosis 
• Trauma
• Scoliosis
• Genetics

Early detection and treatment is the best way to alleviate unpleasant symptoms and give you the best quality of life possible. 

How does my provider diagnose spinal stenosis?

To determine if spinal stenosis is the cause of your discomfort, experts at Interventional Pain Management Associates check your vital signs, review your symptoms and medical history, and complete a comprehensive physical exam.

They often recommend you undergo blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging procedures to make a final diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.

What are the common treatments for spinal stenosis?

Depending on the severity of your spinal stenosis, providers at Interventional Pain Management Associates might recommend:

Lifestyle changes

Using heat or cold packs, maintaining a healthy weight, and regularly exercising can reduce discomfort caused by spinal stenosis.

Physical therapy

Taking part in physical therapy improves strength and mobility, reducing discomfort and the risk of future problems.

Medications

Taking medications helps reduce pain linked with spinal stenosis or its underlying cause.

Steroid injections

Steroid injections can decrease inflammation and alleviate spinal stenosis discomfort.

Decompression

During spinal decompression, your specialist uses a needle-like instrument to remove thickened tissue in the back of your spinal column. 

Surgery

While often a last resort, your surgeon may suggest surgery to widen your spinal canal and give you the long-lasting pain relief you deserve.

Don’t suffer through spinal stenosis discomfort when you don’t have to. Schedule an appointment with Interventional Pain Management Associates by phone or book one online today.