Spinal Stenosis

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a disorder that reduces the space in your spinal canal, typically due to changes relating to the aging process.

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Over time, wear-and-tear affects the discs that cushion your vertebrae and provide stabilization for your spine. The result is that the discs don't work as efficiently and the pressure in your spine increases.

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This pressure can affect the facet joints in your spine that link the vertebrae. These factors reduce the space in your spinal canal, restricting and in some cases compressing the nerves.

What other conditions can cause spinal stenosis?

Conditions like Paget's disease (which causes bone overgrowth), disc herniation, spinal tumors, and some types of spinal trauma can also cause spinal stenosis.

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Spinal stenosis is often worse if you have facet joint arthritis in your spine because of the additional inflammation. Your body might respond to the arthritis or other degenerative changes by triggering the growth of bone spurs (osteophytes), whose job is to support the vertebrae.

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Rather than helping, bone spurs often make the problem worse, leaving even less room in the spinal canal.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

The narrowing that occurs with spinal stenosis doesn't always cause problems, and many people have the condition without experiencing symptoms. However, if the narrowing reaches a point where nerve compression takes place, you might suffer from:

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• Pain in your lower back

• Hip, buttock, or leg pain

• Sensation of heaviness in your legs

• Weakness in your legs

• Tingling or cramping

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Spinal stenosis pain and other symptoms are typically worse when you walk, then ease if you sit down. Leaning forward to relieve pressure on the nerves in your spinal canal can also help.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

The aim of your spinal stenosis treatment program at Richmond Spine Interventions and Pain Center is to reduce the pressure on your spinal nerves. To achieve this, your provider might include some or all of the following therapies in your treatment program:

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• Physical therapy

• Stretching exercises

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Epidural steroid injections

• Radiofrequency rhizotomy

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The majority of people who have spinal stenosis find these approaches successful in relieving their symptoms. If your condition persists, Richmond Spine Interventions and Pain Center also offers spinal cord stimulation trials and implantation procedures.

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If you have back pain from spinal stenosis or other degenerative conditions, call Richmond Spine Interventions and Pain Center to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.