Spine Conditions

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal containing the spinal cord and nerve root bundle, or a narrowing of one or more exit canals through which a nerve root exits the spine. It occurs when a nearby structure, such as a degenerated vertebral disc or facet joint, protrude into a space in the spine normally occupied by the spinal cord or a nerve root. Arthritis of the spine is the most common cause but it can also develop due to a tumor, injury, herniated disc, defect from birth, or other condition.

Some patients have no noticeable symptoms but many experience pain in the back or pain, weakness, cramping, numbness or tingling in the leg. Symptoms are often experienced on one side of the body. Typically, pain worsens when standing or walking for a long period of time and is relieved by sitting down or leaning forward from the waist, but some people experience other patterns of activity-related improvement and worsening. Diagnosis is usually made from a medical history and physical, and neurological testing, x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or myelogram.

Treatment consists of pain medication, anti-inflammatory medicine, injections into the epidural space or the facet joints, or physical therapy. Sometimes surgery is needed due to unrelenting pain, worsening weakness in the legs affecting the ability to walk, or other severe problems. Surgical strategy is tailored to the individual person’s needs, and targets removal of abnormal structures compressing the spinal cord or a nerve root, and restoration of lasting, normal spinal function. Some patients are candidates for minimally invasive spinal surgery to relieve severe symptoms.