Spinal Stenosis

What is spinal stenosis?

Your spinal column is made up of vertebrae that form a canal that houses your nerves and spinal cord.

In a healthy spine, the canal offers sufficient room for these structures. When you have spinal stenosis, the space in the spinal canal begins to narrow and can put pressure on your spinal cord and surrounding nerves. 

This nerve compression triggers pain that affects the narrowed areas of your spine. The pain can radiate into other parts of your body, also.

You can develop spinal stenosis as a result of age-related degeneration in your spine. Other common causes of spinal stenosis include:

• Tumors
• Bone spurs
• Herniated discs

If you suffer trauma in your spine from a fall or auto accident, you may also be at increased risk for developing spinal stenosis.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

If your cervical spine narrows due to spinal stenosis, you may experience persistent, shock-like pain in your neck that radiates down into your shoulders, arms, and hands.

When you have spinal stenosis in your lumbar spine, pain can develop in your lower back and travel down into your buttocks, hips, legs, and feet.

In both cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis, you may also experience symptoms like:

• Weakness
• Numbness
• Tingling sensations

Over time, the symptoms of spinal stenosis can become chronic and interfere with your range of motion and overall mobility.

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of spinal stenosis, Dr. Patel may request imaging tests, like X-rays or an MRI, to get a closer look at your spinal structures and identify areas of nerve compression.

You can also expect to discuss your medical history with Dr. Patel and receive a physical exam. Once she confirms spinal stenosis, Dr. Patel creates a treatment plan that focuses on relieving pain, improving your mobility, and slowing the progression of the condition.

How is spinal stenosis treated?

To ease the pain of spinal stenosis, Dr. Patel may initially recommend anti-inflammatory medications, anesthetic nerve blocks, or physical therapy.

If you have chronic pain due to lumbar stenosis, Dr. Patel may recommend the Superion procedure by Vertiflex. 

This minimally invasive approach uses an implant to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. The decompression implants are available in different sizes to accommodate your needs and reduce your risk for complications.

Dr. Patel inserts the implant into the narrowed area of your spine through a small tube during an outpatient procedure. The Superion implant treats lumbar spinal stenosis without causing damage to surrounding tissue or excessive blood loss.

To find out more about Superion and other treatments for spinal stenosis, contact Delmarva Pain and Spine Center online or by phone today.