Spinal Stenosis Treatment
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and places excessive pressure on the nerves, causing pain and numbness in your back, arms, or legs. For severe cases of spinal stenosis that cannot be treated with medications or physical therapy, our doctors can perform surgery to widen the space and relieve pressure within your spinal canal. Our offices in Lakeland, Cedar Park, and Austin, TX, offer a variety of spinal stenosis treatment options, including surgery for qualifying patients.
About Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis can occur in different regions of the neck and back, and it is often classified according to the location of the condition. For example, cervical spinal stenosis presents in the neck area, thoracic spinal stenosis occurs in the mid-back region, and lumbar spinal stenosis manifests near the lower portion of the back. Symptoms can vary, but often include:
- Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the extremities
- Balance problems when standing or walking
- Neck or back pain
- Incontinence of bowel or bladder
- Pain or cramping in the legs after walking or standing for prolonged periods of time
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What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
While some patients may be born with a smaller-than-average spinal column, most cases of spinal stenosis occur when something unexpectedly happens to reduce the amount of space within the spine. This can include:
- Bone overgrowth
- The wear and damage from osteoarthritis can force the formation of bone spurs that grow into the spinal canal.
- Thickened ligaments
- Cords that keep the bones of the spine together can become thick and swell into the spinal canal.
- Herniated disks
- When the padding between the vertebrae dries out with age, cracks can appear. These small cracks allow the soft padding to leak and cause the disks to press on the spinal cord.
- Tumors
- Occasionally, abnormal growths form inside the spinal cord, inside membranes covering the spinal cord, or between the spinal cord and vertebrae.
- Injuries
- Motor vehicle accidents, severe falls, and other traumatic incidents can damage the spine. This can lead to fractures of the vertebrae and the displacement of bone, which can damage the contents of the spinal canal.
Dr. Robert Josey and Dr. Michael Moghimi are experienced in surgical procedures designed to reverse the pain caused by spinal stenosis.
Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis
While spinal stenosis can affect a person of any age, the average sufferer is age 50 or older. Non-invasive imaging, such as an x-ray, MRI, or CT myelogram, is the best way to determine if a patient’s physical pain is caused by spinal stenosis.
Non-surgical Treatments for Spinal Stenosis
There are a number of medications that a doctor can recommend or prescribe to curtail the pain of spinal stenosis:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may be recommended for use over a limited period of time.
- Antidepressants
- Amitriptyline and other antidepressants can be used to help ease chronic pain.
- Anti-seizure drugs
- In some cases, anticonvulsant drugs may be prescribed to alleviate pain.
- Steroids
- When injected directly into the problem area, steroids can reduce inflammation and discomfort.
In addition, physical therapy can help the patient build strength and endurance, increase flexibility, and improve walking and balance. Other therapies that have shown positive results for spinal stenosis sufferers include acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments.
Surgery
If non-surgical treatments do not effectively control the pain associated with spinal stenosis, surgery may be necessary. This will create more space within the spinal canal and alleviate pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Dr. Robert Josey and Dr. Michael Moghimi are experienced in surgical procedures designed to address spinal stenosis. Our doctors can perform a laminectomy, which can reverse damage from spinal injuries, herniated discs, tumors, or age-related conditions. At our practice, we utilize minimally invasive spine surgery, which is performed using endoscopic techniques to minimize muscle and tissue damage, shorten recovery time, and minimize scarring.
We Can Relieve Spinal Stenosis Pain
Contact Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin online or call (512) 476-2830 to schedule your private consultation. Our doctors can conduct a thorough analysis to determine the best solution for your needs.
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