Spinal Stenosis Treatment Options

Spinal stenosis can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. Patients suffering from nerve compression know how much of an impact pain and other symptoms can have on day to day life. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for spinal stenosis, both surgical and non-surgical, depending on the cause and severity of the condition.

Description

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal becomes too narrow. When the spinal canal narrows, it can press against the spinal cord or nerves, causing pain and neurological symptoms. The conditions usually develops gradually over a long period of time. It can occur in any part of the spine, but about 3/4 of all cases occur in the lumbar spine.

The condition can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• Overgrowth of bone - wear on the vertebrae can stimulate overgrowth of bone; this is common with age
  
• Thickening of ligaments - this can also occur with aging
  
• Herniated disc - if a disc herniates, it can press against the spinal cord or nerves
  
• Injury - many people develop spinal stenosis after a car accident or similar traumatic event 
  
• Arthritis - both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can cause stenosis
  
• Instability - when the vertebrae are out of place, the spinal canal can become compressed
  
• Tumors - spinal tumors are rare, but may cause stenosis when they do occur
  

The symptoms of spinal stenosis are varied. Depending on the location and extent of the problem, patients may experience pain in the back or limbs, clumsiness, difficulty walking, muscle weakness, and numbness or tingling in the extremities. Only further diagnosis can determine the exact cause of the problem.

Treatment

There are several options for the treatment of spinal stenosis. In most cases, the first line of treatment will be non-surgical; if these are ineffective, surgery may be considered. Treatment options include:

• Reducing inflammation: Rest, physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and epidural steroid injections may all reduce inflammation
  
• Improving function of the spine: Symptoms are usually exacerbated when the spine is bearing extra weight. Physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and weight loss can improve this
  
• Surgical treatment: Surgery treats the root cause of the problem by removing or repositioning tissue as necessary
  

The vast majority of spinal stenosis cases can be effectively treated without resorting to surgery. The majority of the remaining cases can be treated effectively with surgery. While surgery is effective, it is not without risks; patients considering surgical treatment should be aware of the risks of surgery, how to reduce them, and their options when it comes to surgery.

There are two main types of spinal surgery available: open spine surgery, and laser spine surgery. Open spine surgery is the more traditional form of treatment. During this procedure, the spine is accessed using scalpels and the physician performs the necessary procedure. This necessitates creating a large wound and putting the patient under general anesthesia. Procedures that alter the structure of the spine are common, including laminectomy and spinal fusion. The recovery time is lengthy - as long as several months. Because of the extent of the wound, patients are at an elevated risk of infection, bleeding, and clotting.

Laser spine surgery can treat most forms of spinal stenosis with less downtime. Using endoscopic techniques and laser technology, surgeons can access the spine without creating a large wound. The procedure can be performed using only local anesthesia, in an outpatient setting. The recovery time is much shorter - only about 1/4 of the recovery time of traditional surgery. While no surgery is without risk, there is a lowered risk of infection, bleeding, and clotting. 

To learn more about treatment for your spinal stenosis, please call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at 212-420-0312.