Best Spinal Stenosis Treatments

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which part of the spine narrows, causing pressure points in the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. This leads to numbness in various regions of the body, especially the limbs. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and the severity of the condition determines the courses of action you can take for treatment.

Mild cases

If spinal stenosis symptoms are mild, your doctors may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the stomach and back. You can also take NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling. Cortisone injections next to the spine may reduce the swelling of nerve roots. Generally, you can get these injections once per year.

Severe cases

Severe cases of spinal stenosis require more drastic measures of treatment. Surgery is usually the answer. There are two common surgeries used. The first is called a Laminectomy and involves the removal of the laminae of the affected vertebrae to make more room in the spinal canal. Sometimes this surgery can take as little as two hours. A laminoplasty is similar, but it involves the removal of less bone. This surgery is usually less invasive and a safer choice. A laminoplasty is generally the best option; a laminectomy can decrease the range of motion in the spine. In very severe cases, you may opt for a spinal fusion surgery and fuse two vertebrae together to stabilize the area.

Spinal stenosis can lead to overwhelming numbness and pain without treatment. If this is the case, you have a variety of options available depending on the severity of your symptoms. The exact treatment depends on your decision, but there are several traditional options that may provide some comfort to you in your recovery.

Spinal stenosis can lead to overwhelming numbness and pain without treatment

by Taylor Porter, Medical writer