What is spine stenosis?
Spine stenosis, or spinal stenosis, is the narrowing of at least one area of the spine, typically in the lower back and/or spine. This narrowing often puts pressure on the spinal cord or spinal cord nerves, causing pain.
Spine stenosis starts slowly, with symptoms gradually becoming worse and worse. Typical spine stenosis symptoms include cramping, weakness, numbness, and/or severe pain in the:
These symptoms usually worsen or quicken when you walk up or down an incline, and get better when you lean over or sit down.
Spine stenosis can also cause bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, or loss of sexual function. In severe cases, it can cause partial or complete paralysis.
What causes spine stenosis?
Many things can cause spine stenosis, including:
- Osteoarthritis and other age-related changes
- Bone spurs
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Spinal tumors
- Herniated discs
Also, some people develop spine stenosis because they were born with a small spinal canal. In this case, they have congenital stenosis.
You’re more likely to develop spine stenosis if you’re over 50, a female, or if you’ve previously sustained a spine injury.
What’s the treatment for spine stenosis?
The team at Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center offers different treatments for spine stenosis that vary based on the severity of your condition. These include:
Physical therapy
During physical therapy for spine stenosis, your physical therapist, who works within the practice, establishes a regular exercise routine with you. This includes workouts that strengthen your upper legs and arms.
By focusing on these muscles, your physical therapist can help you control your pain, balance, ability to walk, and ability to bend and twist.
Epidural steroid injections
The team can administer epidural steroid injections (ESIs) into your back to provide pain relief. They work by decreasing inflammation.
Decompression laminectomy surgery
At the practice’s state-of-the-art outpatient surgical center, your team performs this surgery in order to relieve pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. The practice reserves this option for patients suffering with severe pain that originates with bone buildup in the spinal canal.
Don’t let spine stenosis get the best of you. To learn more about your options with Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center, call or fill out the online booking tool today.
