The main cause of spinal stenosis is osteoarthritis. When cartilage wears away, and the space around the spinal cord decreases because of bone spurs, the unwanted pressure is applied to the nerves.
To properly diagnose the condition, the doctor will conduct a physical examination and, in most cases, rely on the results of imaging tests including X-Rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT test.
Treatment
There is no cure for spinal stenosis. There are, however, treatments that help relieve the symptoms which include pain and swelling. Your doctor may suggest OTC anti-inflammatory drugs or prescribe a more powerful drug. Another common treatment is cortisone. This anti-inflammatory is injected into the site.
Exercise
Although you will be experiencing pain, it is important that you continue moving as much as possible. Start a stretching routine, start slowly and build up to 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week. If you find the pain too much to bear, try performing the exercises in a swimming pool. The fact that your body is buoyant makes it considerably easier to get a full range of motion.
Surgical Options
If anti-inflammatory drugs and exercise do not provide relief from pain, there are surgical options to consider.
- Laminectomy: The surgeon accesses the spine through a small incision near the site of the problem. Bone spurs and ligaments that are pressing on the spinal nerves are removed or trimmed. The objective is to provide more room for your spinal cord to move.
- Spinal Fusion: Spinal fusion is a minimally invasive procedure. The goal of spinal fusion is to stabilize bones to prevent movement. Depending on the situation, the surgeon may employ metal hardware or use bone that is harvested from your pelvis. You may lose some mobility as a result of the procedure, but there will be a marked decrease in pain.
Spinal stenosis may not be preventable, but there are treatments available to relieve the symptoms.
For More information visit Zen Interventional Pain and Wellness Center PLLC.
