Spinal stenosis is a term for narrowing in your spinal canal or nerve roots, that can lead to back pain, neck pain, and/or arm or leg pain, numbness, or weakness. It usually develops in later life but doesn’t always cause symptoms. If you do develop symptoms, they vary depending on which part of your spine it affects:
The cervical vertebrae make up your neck. If you have cervical spinal stenosis, you might experience chronic neck pain and sensations like tingling and prickling in your arms. You might also develop numbness and lose some of your strength.
The lumbar vertebrae form your lower back. If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you might have pain in your hips and buttocks that travels into one or both legs (sciatica). You may also feel sensations like heaviness, tingling, weakness, and numbness in your legs.
Spinal stenosis symptoms tend to be more severe when you’re upright. Sitting, especially leaning forward, opens up space in your back that eases the pain.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the space inside the spinal canal narrows, leading to nerve irritation or compression. This can result from age-related changes, acute disc herniations, or bone spurs. Osteoarthritis, a common cause, develops when protective cartilage wears away, causing bones to rub together, leading to inflammation and bone spurs that further narrow the spinal canal. Degenerative disc disease also contributes as the discs lose hydration, weaken, and become flatter over time, often leading to herniations or protrusions. Additionally, thickening of spinal ligaments can further reduce nerve space, causing symptoms like pain, numbness, and weakness.
Dr. Rispoli aims to use the most effective treatments to reduce the pressure on your nerves that causes spinal stenosis symptoms. She designs your treatment program to suit your individual needs, but options include:
If these treatments don’t relieve your symptoms, Dr. Rispoli specializes in minimally invasive procedures, such as Vertiflex and spinal cord stimulation. Vertiflex procedure involves using a small titanium spacer to decompress the nerves through a minimally invasive non-surgical outpatient procedure. Spinal cord stimulation involves using electrical signals to stop pain messages from reaching your brain.
Receive exceptional care with personalized attention and expert medical support. From pain management to advanced treatments, Dr. Leia Rispoli and her team are here to help you live pain-free. Schedule your visit today.
