Diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis? Here Are the Treatments Options to Consider

According to statistics, more than half a million Americans experience symptoms of spinal stenosis, which causes severe back aches and numbness in your legs or arms. The condition affects women and men and is most common in adults between 50 and 70. Spinal stenosis results from the narrowing of the spinal canal which causes strain on your nerve roots. but you don’t have to worry. If you have been diagnosed with Georgetown spinal stenosis,  there are conservative and surgical solutions to help ease the symptoms. Here is a look at the available treatments to relieve spinal stenosis symptoms.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is aimed at helping you go back to full activity as soon as possible. A physical therapist will work with you to strengthen your leg, back, and stomach muscles. They will give you instructions on proper walking, lifting techniques, and posture.

Medications

Other than physical therapy, your doctor might also recommend several medications to relieve the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin can help relieve pain and inflammation. Analgesic medications such as acetaminophen can relieve pain but have no anti-inflammatory effect.

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections have been proven to be effective in relieving the symptoms of spinal stenosis. This minimally invasive treatment is done under x-ray guidance and involves the injection of corticosteroids and an anesthetic agent into the spine. The medicine is administered right into the painful area to soothe the pain and decrease the swelling and inflammation of the nerves. Regular steroid injections will help you achieve full relief. The injections are conducted in a combination of physical therapy and a workout program to strengthen your back muscles.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic solution involves spinal adjustment that exerts pressure on a vertebrae area for bone alignment and restores the joints to normal motion. Restoring the proper motion helps to decrease pain, muscle tightness, or spasms and enhances the function of the nervous system.

Surgical Treatments

 If the above-reviewed conservative pain management solutions are ineffective, your doctor might recommend surgical options to resolve spinal stenosis symptoms. The surgery involves the elimination of bony overgrowth to relieve pinching and pressure on the spinal nerves. Some of the surgical options for spinal stenosis include;

1. Spinal Fusion

This surgical option is normally used when a spine curvature or vertebra deformity occurs. The surgeon joins two or more vertebrae to limit them from compressing the nerves or spinal cord.

2. Decompression

Also known as laminectomy, this procedure involves getting rid of the spine’s soft tissues and bones, causing nerve pinching. An incision is created at the middle of the back, and the arched section of the vertebra, known as the lamina, is removed to expose the spinal nerves. The bone spurs and thickened ligaments are removed to allow the spinal nerves to exit the spinal canal.

3. Laminoplasty

The surgical option is only done in your cervical vertebrae when spinal stenosis affects several levels of the spine. The procedure involves opening up the space within the spinal canal, and a metal plate is installed to bridge the gap.

Ultimately, spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the bone canals through which the spinal cord nerves pass. This restricts the nerves from moving freely, causing cramping, pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms, back, legs or neck. Physical therapy, medications, and spinal injections can help ease the symptoms. For chronic symptoms, you might need surgery to open the nerve canals.