Spinal Stenosis
Treatment Specialists in NJ & FL
Ready to do something about your spinal stenosis pain? Try our pain assessment questionnaire to get started:
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Ready to do something about your spinal stenosis pain? Try our pain assessment questionnaire to get started:
 Spinal stenosis is described as the narrowing of the space in the spinal canal, where our spinal cord  lives. As the spinal cord and the nerves exit this area, they can become compressed in the narrow  space; which in turn can cause pain, numbness, and weakness along the spine and even throughout  your arms and legs. Spinal stenosis is most common in the neck (cervical spine) and the lower back  (lumbar spine) but can also occur in the mid back (thoracic spine) in less common situations.
While the cause of spinal stenosis is typically aging or injury, there are some pre-existing conditions that can make you more susceptible, such as:
Symptoms of spinal stenosis can be very similar to other spine-related conditions and are therefore often hard to discern from one another. This is why it is critical to get an accurate diagnosis from a spine specialist.
The chief symptom of spinal stenosis is typically pain, due to the pressure on your spinal cord and adjacent nerves. This can lead to typical spinal stenosis symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in either the arms and hands or legs and feet, depending on the area of the spinal compression.
Cervical (neck) spinal stenosis is likely to manifest symptoms in the arms and hands, while lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis is likely to result in leg and foot-related symptoms. Sharp or sudden pain is not uncommon and can be triggered by movement, such as standing and walking. Severe spinal stenosis symptoms can include bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Your spinal treatment options are highly dependent on the stage of the condition. As with most conditions, the earlier you seek a diagnosis and treatment, the better. Treatment options for spinal stenosis can be divided into two categories: Non-surgical and surgical.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Spinal Stenosis
Activity Modification: Adjust and revise how you perform daily activities such as sitting and walking to minimize the pain caused by spinal stenosis.
Physical Therapy: A program of exercise, heat/ice therapy, stretching, and manual therapy can help to reduce pain in soft tissues while improving muscle function.
Medication: Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, and nerve desensitizers can help reduce the symptoms of spinal stenosis. However, it is important to be aware of potential side effects.
Spinal Stenosis Cortisone Injections: A cortisone injection regimen can be used for temporary pain relief in conjunction with other non-surgical treatments such as activity modification and physical therapy.
If you have exhausted the non-surgical treatment options for spinal stenosis, common surgical options you can consider are:
Laminectomy: Also known as decompression surgery, this spinal stenosis treatment removes a portion of the lamina of the vertebrae to create space in the spinal canal.
Laminoforaminotomy: A cutting-edge technique developed by world-renowned surgeon and industry expert, Dr. Scott Katzman, where a dime-sized hole is created to fix the stenosis.
Other spinal stenosis surgical options include:
Left untreated, spinal stenosis can cause permanent damage to the spinal cord, myelopathy, and a significant reduction in movement, in addition to traditional symptoms.
If you think you may have spinal stenosis, call our office today for a free consultation so you can find the relief you deserve.
Q: Who is at risk for spinal stenosis?
A: Adults over the age of 60 are especially at risk, but the risk of developing spinal stenosis increases after age 50. Other risk factors include:
Q: What tests are typically required for spinal stenosis?
A: Lab tests that are typically required for this condition include:
Q: What should I avoid if I have spinal stenosis?
A: Avoid these if you have or suspect you may have spinal stenosis, as they can shock or irritate your spinal cord even further:
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