Spinal Stenosis

What causes spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a progressive condition that leads to narrowing of your spinal canal, usually in your lower back (lumbar) or neck. This puts tremendous strain on your nerve roots and spinal cord, which often leads to a host of symptoms.  

In most cases, spinal stenosis is the result of osteoarthritis or age-related wear-and-tear. While anyone over the age of 50 is at risk of developing spinal stenosis, you’re also at risk of having this condition if you:

• Have spinal tumors 
• Suffer from spondyloarthritis
• Develop bone spurs along your spine
• Previously had spine surgery or a spine injury
• Were born with an abnormally narrow spinal canal

Your chances of suffering from spinal stenosis are higher if you’re female because of an increased risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause. 

Are there symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Not always, and it isn’t well understood why some people suffer from excruciating discomfort while others don’t. In any case, spinal stenosis often worsens over time, so even if your symptoms are minor now, they’re likely to worsen in the future without proper treatment. 

When you have spinal stenosis, the pressure on your nerve roots can lead to tingling and burning down your arms or legs. You might find that your muscles are weak and that you have a hard time grasping objects. Sometimes, spinal stenosis can also lead to:

• Difficulty walking 
• Sexual dysfunction 
• Lower back or neck pain
• Shooting pains down your legs
• Loss of bladder or bowel functions

The board-certified pain management specialists at Republic Spine and Pain understand how debilitating spinal stenosis can become. They can often diagnose you on the spot by talking with you about your symptoms and looking at X-ray imaging, although you might need a CT or MRI to confirm spinal stenosis.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

Republic Spine and Pain offers the in-demand Vertiflex® Superion® treatment for spinal stenosis. This minimally invasive procedure involves implanting a small device into the space between your vertebrae to resolve compression. 

The Superion implant essentially serves as a placeholder and helps minimize pressure on nerves and connective tissues, while still allowing you to maintain normal movement. Depending on your unique needs, your doctor at Republic Spine and Pain may also recommend:

• Muscle relaxing medications
• Spine injections, such as corticosteroid shots
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Bracing
• Physical therapy

While no cure exists for spinal stenosis, Republic Spine and Pain is diligent about helping you find relief and preventing further progression of the condition. If conservative pain management solutions aren’t effective for you, your doctor may talk with you about surgical options to resolve spinal stenosis issues.  

Before spinal stenosis starts taking over your life, schedule an exam at Republic Spine and Pain. You can conveniently book a visit either through the website or over the phone.